NEW YORK
The New Yorkers that could receive a free air conditioner as summer approaches: Elibility, application, and more...
A new initiative in New York is providing vulnerable residents with AC units to avoid heat-related illnesses and death this summer.
As the summer months approach, New York has launched a new initiative to reduce 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. 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 that is exacerbated by extreme heat.” Many beneficiaries on other states and federal assistance programs, including:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or
- Temporary Assistance (TA), or
- Supplemental Security Income
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”.