New York will invest $15 million through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help low-income individuals and families who lack air conditioning get one and stay cool during the upcoming summer months, Governor Ktahy Hochul announced Monday.
Applications will be accepted at local departments of social services beginning Monday, May 2 and running through August 31, or until funds are exhausted. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
New York City residents can download an application and get information about the program here.
The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the agency that administers HEAP, expanded the criteria to help more effectively by including all income-qualified New Yorkers, not just those with a medical condition.
Now, qualified applicants must meet HEAP 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. Before this year, the HEAP component was only available to income households with a person who had a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat.
“For many New Yorkers, an air conditioner for the stifling heat that summer brings each year is expensive,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding the eligibility guidelines for air conditioner assistance, you can help ensure that more low-income and disadvantaged households have the means to stay comfortable and safe when temperatures inevitably rise.”
What is the program about?
If the individual meets the criteria, they may receive a Home Cooling Assistance benefit toward the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or fan.
In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided.
Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation, will be provided per applicant household. There are no additional HEAP cash benefits available.
The program covers the cost of an air conditioning unit and installation. The aid is expected to serve up to 20,000 households statewide.
The program provided about 11,300 benefits statewide in 2021. More than 36,000 households across New York have benefited from the assistance over the last five years.
In addition to Cooling Assistance, the agency also offers the emergency HEAP benefit to those households experiencing a life-threatening heat or heat-related energy crisis or emergency. The emergency benefit is available until August 31 or until the allocated funds are exhausted.
State demand for HEAP remains high. So far this season, low-to-moderate income households have received nearly 1.5 million regular benefits, and nearly 63,000 emergency benefits have also been issued to these households.
Who meets the requirement?
- The household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for the household size.
- Or you get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- Receive Temporal Assistance (TA).
- Or you receive Supplemental Security Income Code A (SSI Living Alone).
- You either received a regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year OR received a regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government-subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and
- A member of your household is a United States citizen or qualified alien and
- You do not currently have a working air conditioner or your air conditioner is five years old or older and
- You have not received a HEAP-funded air conditioner in the past five years.
Your household requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in a housing situation that meets the criteria.
When do you open the application?
Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 2 and running through August 31, or until funds are exhausted. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where can I fill out the application?
Applications will be accepted at local departments of social services beginning Monday, May 2 and running through August 31, or until funds are exhausted. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
New York City residents can download an application and get information about the program here.
Where can I find more information?
Questions related to the HEAP program should go to the local HEAP district contact or the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009.