Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) cooling assistance initiative on Tuesday, offering eligible low-income New Yorkers free air conditioning units to help them stay safe during the summer heat.
Applications for the program opened April 15 and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until early June or until funding runs out. The program, administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, covers both the cost of an air conditioner and its installation.
“High temperatures and humidity in the summer pose a grave threat to those with certain medical conditions, as well as older adults and young children,” Hochul said. “This assistance is crucial for at-risk New Yorkers.”
To qualify, households must meet income requirements and include at least one person under age 6, over age 60, or with a medical condition worsened by extreme heat. For instance, a household of four with an annual income up to $76,681 may be eligible.
The program has served more than 87,000 households in the past five years, delivering over $67 million in federal funding to install cooling systems for New Yorkers without access to air conditioning.
Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said the program targets those who are “at high risk in heat emergencies, but do not have an air conditioner or the means to purchase one.”
Lawmakers praised the effort. Senator Charles Schumer highlighted his fight to secure federal funds, calling the aid essential for keeping families “safe and cool in their homes.” Representative Paul Tonko added, “As climate change continues to drive increasingly extreme temperatures, we must continue to invest in solutions like the HEAP cooling assistance program.”
Assemblymember Maritza Davila stressed the urgency. “Access to air conditioning is not a luxury—it is a matter of health and safety,” she said.
Eligible residents outside New York City should apply through their local social services department. City residents may apply online at access.nyc.gov or in person at a Human Resources Administration Benefit Access Center.
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