New York is offering free air conditioners this summer: Here’s how to apply

As summer temperatures begin to rise, New York residents can get a free air conditioning unit from the state to help combat the heat.

Through the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, low-income New York residents can apply for free air conditioning units. The application for this Cooling Assistance Benefit opened last month.

If you’re eligible, you can receive one cooling benefit per household to help you purchase and install an air conditioner. If an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.

Residents can purchase one air conditioner or fan, with installation for a window, up to $800. For an existing wall sleeve unit, an air conditioning unit cannot exceed $1,000.

In order to be considered for this free AC unit, a household must include someone with a documented medical condition worsened by extreme heat, a child under the age of 6, or an adult over the age of 60.

Additionally, applicants must meet the program’s eligibility criteria and income thresholds, which vary by household size. For example, a household of two people may have a maximum gross income of $4,542 per month, while a family of four may have $6,680 per month.

Here’s who is eligible to receive a free air conditioner:

You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, orYou receive Temporary Assistance, orYou receive Code A Supplemental Security Income, orYou 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, andA member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen, andYou currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, andYou did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years.Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.

Applications for cooling assistance are now being accepted.

New York City Residents may apply online by visiting access.nyc.gov, calling the HEAP Local District Contact, or applying in person at the HEAP Local District Contact.

The benefit is available as residents in New York prepare for a hotter summer than usual this year, according to forecasters.

Above-average temperatures across New York City, and even higher temperatures across upstate and parts of Long Island, are expected, according to the National Weather Service’s long-range summer forecast.

The outlook for June, July and August forecasts a warmer summer than usual, with normal rainfall.