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 the 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit are scheduled to open on April 15, 2025. 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 fanadministrative costslabor program supportmaterialsremoval of your old unit minor repairs that are needed to safely install the new unitOnly one air conditioner or fan will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if all these apply to you:
Your household has at least one of these: Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table, or You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or You received a HEAP Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a HEAP Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and live in government subsidized housing (like NYCHA or Section 8) with heat included in your rent; and Your household contains at least one of these:At least one person with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat. This must be verified in writing by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner; orSomeone age 60 or older; orA child under age 6; andA member of your household is a U.S. Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen; andYou currently do not have a working air conditioner or the one you have is at least five years old; and You did not receive a HEAP-funded air conditioner in the last five years. Household Size|Maximum Monthly Gross Income for 2024-20251|$3,3222|$4,3453|$5,3674|$6,3905|$7,4126|$8,4347|$8,6268|$8,8189|$9,01010|$9,20111|$9,39312|$9,58513|$9,952For each additional person|Add $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 certificatewhere you live: such as current rent receipt or leaseyour income: such as pay stubsmedical 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 closed on July 22, 2024.
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 closed on July 22, 2024.
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) iTunes 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.
Apply online
By Mail
In Person
Find an office
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.