Buffalo National Grid Bill Help 2026–27: HEAP Opens Nov. 2, the Bill Credit It Unlocks, and Your Shutoff Rights
In Buffalo, the date to circle is Monday, November 2, 2026. That's when Erie County starts taking applications for regular HEAP (the Home Energy Assistance Program), according to the County Executive's office. HEAP is worth more than the one-time grant: when a HEAP grant lands on your National Grid account, you're automatically enrolled in National Grid's Energy Affordability Program, a monthly bill credit that runs for 18 months.
This guide covers the money (HEAP, Emergency HEAP and National Grid's credits), payment agreements, and the New York shutoff rules that protect you while you sort it out.
Last checked October 2026. Dates and income limits are for the 2026–27 HEAP season. Confirm with Erie County DSS or National Grid before you rely on them.
Step 1: Apply for Regular HEAP Starting November 2
Who qualifies: Erie County says eligibility depends on income, household size, your main heating source, and whether someone in the home is under 6, 60 or older, or permanently disabled. Benefits are available whether you pay for heat separately or heat is included in your rent. You can get one regular benefit per program year, and eligibility is based on your last 30 days of gross income.
2026–27 maximum gross monthly income (Erie County):
1 person: $3,563
2 people: $4,659
3 people: $5,756
4 people: $6,852
5 people: $7,948
6 people: $9,045
Household members must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens.
How to apply:
Online: mybenefits.ny.gov. Erie County is strongly encouraging online and remote applications.
By phone: Erie County HEAP Phone Center, 716-858-7644.
By email: send your name and address to heaphotline@erie.gov and a paper application will be mailed to you.
In person: 460 Main St., 2nd floor, Buffalo.
The county expects a busy season and says to apply sooner rather than later. If your heat is on and you don't have a shutoff notice, apply online early in November so you're not stuck in a January rush.
Step 2: Let HEAP Trigger the Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
National Grid's EAP gives a monthly bill credit to customers who get HEAP or take part in another qualifying program.
Automatic with HEAP: National Grid says you're automatically enrolled when a HEAP grant is added to your National Grid account. If your HEAP went to a different utility (for example, your heating company isn't National Grid), you may be automatically enrolled through a state data match.
Other ways in: if you're in another qualifying program, such as Lifeline phone service, you can apply with proof of participation. Check whether you qualify at ngrid.com/eap, call 1-866-305-1915, or email Affordability@nationalgrid.com.
How long it lasts: the credit starts on the bill after your next meter reading and continues for 18 months. A bill message at 16 months reminds you it's about to expire, which is your cue to reapply for HEAP.
Budget Plan: if you have no past-due balance when you enroll, National Grid enrolls you in the Budget Plan automatically unless you opt out.
Look for it on your bill: the line is labeled Energy Affordability Credit.
National Grid also says no customer will be disenrolled from EAP before November 30, 2026, and customers disenrolled on or after October 1, 2025 will be automatically re-enrolled.
Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP): for customers who don't qualify for EAP but have household income below the state median income, National Grid offers a smaller monthly credit. Learn more at ngrid.com/ny-eeap or call 877-400-2501.
Step 3: If You Have a Shutoff Notice
Emergency HEAP opens January 4, 2027 in Erie County. It's for households with a heating emergency, such as a shutoff notice or a disconnected utility.
You must use regular HEAP first. If a regular benefit is still available to you, it must be used to resolve the emergency. Emergency HEAP is only for households whose regular benefit is used up or unavailable.
One emergency benefit per household per program year.
Apply by phone (716-858-7644) or in person at 460 Main St., 2nd floor. Unlike regular HEAP, emergency applications are by phone or in person.
Resource test: all Emergency HEAP applicants are resource tested.
Before January 4, or if HEAP can't cover it, National Grid's brochure says customers with a recent disconnect notice who have used up HEAP (or when HEAP is closed) may be eligible for Temporary Assistance through the state. Call the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
Step 4: Use Your HEFPA Rights to Get a Fair Payment Agreement
New York's Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) gives residential electric and gas customers rights that many people don't know to use.
You can write your own payment agreement. The Department of Public Service (DPS) says you don't have to accept the utility's proposed terms. You can propose your own, based on your ability to pay what you owe plus your current bills, and the utility must accept terms that are fair and equitable given your finances.
Installments are capped. Unless you agree to more, monthly installments on a deferred payment agreement can't be more than half your average monthly bill or 10% of what you owe, whichever is greater.
If you miss payments, the utility can cancel the agreement, but it must send you a notice at least eight days before starting shutoff and give you a chance to catch up. If your broken agreement required payments above that cap, the utility must offer you a new agreement at the capped amount.
Call National Grid's billing line at 1-800-642-4272 to set up an agreement. If they won't offer fair terms, call the DPS Helpline (below).
Shutoff Rules That Protect You
According to DPS:
Final Termination Notice required. The utility can't shut off service without one. It must state the earliest date a shutoff could happen. DPS says a utility may shut off service after written notice and waiting 15 days for you to pay or make an agreement.
Shutoff hours: only 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Medical emergencies: if your doctor or the local Board of Health notifies the utility that a medical emergency would be aggravated by losing service, the utility must keep service on for 30 days. The notice can be by phone, but written certification must follow within five business days. You still need to make a reasonable effort to pay.
Seniors 62+, blind or disabled: if the utility knows that you and all adults in your home are 62 or older, blind or disabled, it must make special attempts to contact you at least three days before a shutoff to help keep service on. Tell National Grid now so your account is coded.
Cold weather period, November 1 – April 15: the utility must make special efforts to find out whether shutting off heat-related service would endanger health or safety, including trying to contact you at least three days before and again on the day of a scheduled shutoff.
Paying in full when the worker arrives stops the shutoff.
Renters: if your landlord doesn't pay the utility bill for your building, the utility has to notify tenants. In an apartment building, it must post notices and mail you a separate notice at least 18 days before disconnection.
Need help fast? DPS Helpline: 1-800-342-3377 (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. business days). If service has been or is about to be shut off, call the Emergency Hotline, 1-800-342-3355 (7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. business days).
Lower the Bill Long-Term: EmPower+
National Grid's brochure lists EmPower+, a NYSERDA program that gives income-eligible customers a no-cost home energy assessment and no-cost efficiency improvements by participating contractors. Call 1-877-697-6278.
A Buffalo Timeline for This Winter
Now (October): call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272 about any past-due balance. Propose an agreement you can keep. Code your account if you're 62+, blind or disabled.
November 2: apply for regular HEAP online, by phone or by email.
After the HEAP grant posts: look for the Energy Affordability Credit on your bill.
January 4, 2027: Emergency HEAP opens if you get a shutoff notice and regular HEAP is used up.
Anytime: if a shutoff is imminent, call the DPS Emergency Hotline at 1-800-342-3355.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does HEAP open in Erie County for 2026–27?
Regular HEAP applications open Monday, November 2, 2026. Emergency HEAP is scheduled to open January 4, 2027.
How do I get National Grid's Energy Affordability credit?
Get a HEAP grant on your National Grid account and you'll be enrolled automatically. You can also apply with proof of another qualifying program at ngrid.com/eap or 1-866-305-1915.
How long does the EAP credit last?
18 months from the bill after your next meter reading.
Can National Grid make me pay a large amount on a payment plan?
Under HEFPA, unless you agree to more, installments can't exceed the greater of half your average monthly bill or 10% of what you owe.
Can National Grid shut off my power in winter?
Shutoffs can happen, but from November 1 to April 15 the utility must make extra efforts to check for health and safety risks, and medical emergencies get 30 days of protection.
Who do I call if National Grid won't work with me?
The DPS Helpline at 1-800-342-3377, or the Emergency Hotline at 1-800-342-3355 if you're about to lose service.
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