NYS Expands Eligibility for Free Air Conditioners

By Hamodia Staff

NEW YORK — New York state is expanding the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) program that helps low-income residents who lack air conditioning to stay cool during the upcoming summer months.

To qualify for cooling assistance under the amended guidelines, applicants must meet HEAP eligibility criteria and income thresholds, which vary by household size. For example, a family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,249 or an annual gross income of $62,983. Prior to this year, the cooling component of HEAP was only available to income-eligible households with an individual suffering from a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat. 

The program covers the cost of an air conditioning unit and installation. Under the expanded eligibility, the cooling component is expected to serve up to 20,000 households throughout the state.   

“For too many New Yorkers, relief from the stifling heat that summer brings each year is prohibitively expensive,” Governor Hochul said, in announcing the $15 million in federal home energy assistance for the program. “By expanding the eligibility guidelines for cooling assistance, we can help ensure that more low-income and disadvantaged households have the means to stay comfortable and safe when temperatures inevitably rise.” 

“This $15 million in federal home energy assistance will ensure that New York families and seniors struggling to pay the bills can stay cool during the hot summer months,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). “I am proud to have turned up the heat on the feds to get them to deliver this emergency assistance to keep seniors and families safe and with the air conditioning on in their homes.” 

Applications for cooling assistance will be accepted at local departments of social services starting Monday, May 2 and extending through August 31, or until funding runs out. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. New York City residents may download an application and obtain program information at access.nyc.gov 

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