Need a new AC unit this summer? Some residents of this state may be able to get one for free

The Weather Channel is warning that this summer could be one of the hottest on record. To help residents stay safe during the summer months, New York has an initiative to ensure households can access air conditioning to avoid heat-related illnesses and deaths. Heat is a major threat to the health of older residents, and by providing households with an AC unit, they can limit the risk of what could be a fatal outcome during heatwaves or days when temperatures tick up towards the triple digits.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers those eligible “one regular HEAP benefit per program year” and, in some cases, provides households “emergency HEAP benefits if [they] are in danger of running out of fuel or having [their] utility service shut off.” Many New Yorkers receiving HEAP benefits use them in winter to reduce their heating bills. However, the cooling assistance comment of the program opened on April 15, and the state is making a big push to ensure those eligible know about the program before the heat arrives.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the program, the applicant must be a US citizen or a non-permanent resident who does not have central AC, individual units, or units older than five years in their home. So even if you have a unit that has stopped working as it once did, you may qualify for a credit to purchase a new one. Age is also a critical component of eligibility, with eligible households having children or seniors or “at least one individual with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat.” Many beneficiaries on other states and federal assistance programs, including:

To see the full eligibility requirements, visit the initiative’s website.

How to apply

The program is administered by the Department of Social Services, which has offices across the state. The first step is to identify the office closest to you and provide them with the required documentation. New York City residents can apply online directly. Once you have received approval, you can find a qualified vendor working with the state to install your AC unit. The state has developed a tool to find a vendor, and advises users to “select your county of residence, “Cooling” as the fuel type, and pressing “Go”.