Cooling Assistance Benefit

Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)

People with disabilitiesPregnant & new parentsOlder AdultsEveryone

The Cooling Assistance benefit helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan to help their home stay cool.

Heads Up

Applications for 2025 HEAP Summer Cooling Assistance are now closed.Don't have air conditioning? Cool down at a friend's place, mall, museum, coffee shop, library, or an NYC cooling center (https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/) . When it's not scorching out, you can also cool off at parks, areas with shade, sprinklers, or pools. Cooling centers can also be found by calling 311 (VRS: 212-639-9675 or TTY: 212-504-4115).
  • Cooling Assistance benefits are provided on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants.
  • The benefit is worth:
  • up to $800 for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan
  • up to $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit
  • The benefit covers:
  • the cost of the air conditioner or fan
  • administrative costs
  • labor
  • program support
  • materials
  • removal of your old unit
  • minor repairs that are needed to safely install the new unit
  • Only one air conditioner or fan will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

    • Eligibility

    You must meet all of the following five conditions to be eligible for Cooling Assistance: 

  • Your household's monthly income is at or below the guidelines for your household size (see table below) OR you receive:
  • SNAP benefits (food stamps) OR
  • Temporary Assistance (TA) OR
  • Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone) OR
  • A HEAP Regular benefit for this program year over $21, or if you live in government subsidized housing (like NYCHA or Section 8) with heat included in your rent, equal to $21
  • Your household has:
  • Someone with a documented medical condition that is made worse by extreme heat (verified in writing by a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) OR
  • Someone age 60 or older OR
  • A child under age 6
  • You or someone in your household is a U.S. Citizen or (https://otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/4998.pdf) Qualified Non-Citizen
  • You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the one you have is at least five years old
  • You have not received a HEAP-funded air conditioner in the last five years
  • Household Size|Maximum Monthly Gross Income for 2024-2025
  • 1|$3,322
  • 2|$4,345
  • 3|$5,367
  • 4|$6,390
  • 5|$7,412
  • 6|$8,434
  • 7|$8,626
  • 8|$8,818
  • 9|$9,010
  • 10|$9,201
  • 11|$9,393
  • 12|$9,585
  • 13|$9,952
  • Each additional person|+$672

  • Required Documents

    To apply for the Cooling Assistance Benefit, at least one household member will need a valid Social Security Number (SSN).You will also need to give documents that show:

  • the identity of the people who live with you: such as a birth certificate, driver's license, US passport, or naturalization certificate
  • where you live: such as current rent receipt or lease
  • your income: such as pay stubs
  • medical condition: a document that says someone in your household has a medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat. It must be verified in writing by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner

    How to Apply

    Applications for 2025 HEAP Summer Cooling Assistance are now closed. Summer 2026 applications will open next spring.

  • Apply through HEAP on (https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/) ACCESS HRA (https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp?county=New%20York%20City#result) .
  • Visit an office near you.
  • Call 718-557-1399 and HEAP will provide you with more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

    Online

    Applications for 2025 HEAP Summer Cooling Assistance are now closed. Summer 2026 applications will open next spring.

  • Apply for the Cooling Assistance program through HEAP on (https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/) ACCESS HRA (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nyc-access-hra/id1185595325) .
  • Scan your documents using the ACCESS HRA mobile app available for free on the (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nyc.hra.SelfService) App Store (https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/) (for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
  • You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.

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    Get Help

  • Visit the NYS OTDA website (http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance) to learn more about this program.
  • Call 718-557-1399 if you have questions about the benefit.

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