Beat the New York Heat with a Free Air Conditioner

Beat the heat this summer with a free air conditioner.

$15 million is available to help low-income New Yorkers stay cool. The Home Energy Assistance Program provides an air conditioner to eligible households with a family member who suffers from a medical condition that can be aggravated by extreme heat.

To qualify for a free air conditioner there are eligibility criteria and income guidelines. A household of four can earn up to $60,226 a year, or $5,019 a month, and still qualify for assistance.

Households located in government-subsidized housing with heat included in their rent will continue to qualify for a cooling benefit, provided someone living there suffers from a medical condition that can be aggravated by extreme heat. This year's cooling assistance funding was sustained at $15 million to account for an increase in applicants likely to result from this expansion in eligibility.

Cooling assistance applications are accepted at local social services departments from Monday, May 3 through August 30, or until funding runs out. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

"While many New Yorkers look forward to the approaching summer, others warily regard the extreme heat that is often associated with this season and the elevated health risks it can bring," Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said. "This funding helps eligible low-income individuals and families cool their homes and avoid the chance that the summer's heat will exacerbate the medical condition of a loved-one."