Free home air conditioning benefit in New York: who qualifies and how to apply
Summer is coming. If you’re worried about sweltering and don’t have AC, New York households may be eligible for help purchasing and installing relief.
New York offers various forms of financial aid and has several social programs to benefit state residents. For example, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which can help eligible New Yorkers either heat or cool their homes.
As for keeping your home from sweltering this summer, there is a cooling system assistance benefit, if you are eligible. The government will provide support toward the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or fan to help keep your home cool in when things heat up this season.
Financial help for air conditioning: how to get it
The window to receive applications for the 2023-2024 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on April 15, 2024. According to the parameters of the program, only one air conditioner or fan will be provided per applicant household, which do not exceed $800 with installation for a portable air conditioner or fan and that do not exceed $1,000 for an existing wall unit.
Requirements for home air conditioning benefit in New York
You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size, as indicated in this table.
- Receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Receive Temporary Assistance (TA)
- Receive Supplemental Security Income Code A (SSI Living Alone)
- Received a regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received you receive a regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent
- There is at least one person in your household with a documented medical condition that is aggravated by extreme heat
- Your household contains an age-vulnerable member (elderly 60 years or older, or young children under 6 years of age) who meets all other eligibility criteria of component eligibility
- A member of your household is a United States citizen or qualified noncitizen
- You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years or older
- Have not received an air conditioner financed by HEAP in the last five years.
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How to request cooling assistance?
Eligibility requirements include submitting an application with the local department of social services, as well as requested documents including: identification document, proof of address, proof of income, resources and expenses, proof of citizenship or immigration status and proof of disability status.
Because the request must be made at your nearest local services department, here is the directory by county for you to communicate with. New York City residents can also apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit online by visiting ACCESS NYC.
Questions about the HEAP program should be directed to your local district contact or the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009.