New York is stepping in to help residents survive brutal summer heat waves by providing free air conditioners as extreme temperatures continue causing health emergencies and heat-related deaths across the state.
Applications for New York’s Cooling Assistance Benefit officially opened on April 15, giving eligible households access to a free air conditioner or fan along with installation services. The program, funded through HEAP, also covers the removal of old units if necessary.
The benefit covers up to $800 for window units, portable air conditioners, or fans, including installation. Existing wall sleeve units can qualify for up to $1,000, and the program also covers minor repairs needed for safe installation—helping residents avoid another expensive summer bill.
With many older and pre-war buildings across New York City unable to safely support air conditioner installations, the state says residents in those situations can still qualify to receive a fan to help stay cool during extreme heat.
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To qualify for the program, households must meet income requirements or already receive benefits like SNAP, Temporary Assistance, SSI, or HEAP. The home must also include someone especially vulnerable to extreme heat, such as a senior age 60 or older, a child under 6, or someone with a medical condition worsened by high temperatures. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens, currently lack a working air conditioner (or have one more than five years old), and cannot have received a HEAP-funded cooling unit within the last five years.
Applicants will need to provide documents showing proof of residency, income, identity, Social Security information, and any qualifying medical condition when applying for the cooling assistance program.
Residents can apply by contacting or visiting their local HEAP office in person, or by submitting an application online through ACCESS NYC.
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