Applications Are Open Now — But Funding Is Limited
As of April 15, 2026, New York State’s HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit is officially accepting applications. If you or someone in your household is a senior, a young child, or has a medical condition made worse by extreme heat, you may qualify for a free air conditioner or fan — fully installed at no cost to you.
This program runs on a first-come, first-served basis through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), administered by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Once the funding is gone, it’s gone. If you think you might qualify, apply now.
What the Program Covers
The Cooling Assistance Benefit pays for the full cost of one air conditioning unit or fan per household, including:
Window or portable air conditioner or fan: Up to $800, covering the unit, installation, materials, labor, and removal of your old unit.
Wall sleeve air conditioner (existing sleeve): Up to $1,000 for installation into an existing wall sleeve.
This isn’t a rebate or a discount — the program covers the entire cost. You don’t pay anything upfront or afterward.
Who Qualifies
To be eligible, your household must meet both an income requirement and a vulnerability requirement.
Income limits (monthly gross income): For a household of one, the maximum is $3,473 per month. For two people, $4,542. For three, $5,611. The limit increases by approximately $687 for each additional household member, according to the ACCESS NYC program page. You also qualify automatically if your household receives SNAP benefits, Cash Assistance, Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or received a regular HEAP benefit of more than $21 in the current season.
Vulnerability requirement: At least one person in your household must be age 60 or older, under age 6, or have a documented medical condition that is worsened by extreme heat (such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other chronic conditions).
Additional conditions: Your household must not have a working air conditioner, or your current unit must be at least five years old. You also cannot have received a HEAP-funded air conditioner in the past five years. You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
What You Need to Apply
Gather these documents before you start your application:
Proof of identity: Driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or school records.
Proof of residence: Current lease, rent receipt, utility bill (such as a Con Edison bill), mortgage statement, or homeowner’s insurance policy.
Proof of income: Recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit award letters (SNAP, SSI, Cash Assistance), or bank statements.
Medical documentation (if applicable): If you’re qualifying based on a medical condition (rather than age), you need a letter signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner dated within the last 12 months. This requirement is waived if someone in the household is 60 or older or under 6.
How to Apply
Online: The fastest way is through the ACCESS HRA portal. Create an account, complete the HEAP Cooling Assistance application, and upload your documents. The HRA mobile app lets you scan and submit documents directly from your phone.
By phone: Call 718-557-1399 to request an application be mailed to you or to get help with the process.
In person: Visit a HEAP office or outreach location near you. You can find your nearest location through ACCESS NYC.
What Happens After You Apply
Once your application is approved, a contractor will be scheduled to deliver and install your air conditioning unit or fan. The program coordinates everything — you don’t need to shop for a unit or hire an installer. If you have an old unit, they’ll remove it as part of the process.
Processing times vary depending on demand, so the earlier you apply, the sooner you’ll have cooling in place before the summer heat hits.
Other Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
Even if you don’t qualify for the Cooling Assistance Benefit, NYC has resources to help you beat the heat.
NYC opens cooling centers across all five boroughs during heat emergencies — air-conditioned public spaces in libraries, senior centers, and community centers. Call 311 during a heat wave to find one near you.
If your utility bills are a barrier to running your AC, look into Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which provides monthly bill discounts for low-income households.
And if you’re struggling to afford other basics while managing summer costs, check whether you’re enrolled in all the NYC benefits you may be eligible for, including SNAP and Fair Fares.
Action Steps
1. Check your eligibility using the income limits and vulnerability requirements above.
2. Gather your documents — ID, proof of address, income verification, and medical letter if needed.
3. Apply now through ACCESS HRA online or call 718-557-1399.
4. Don’t wait. This program is first-come, first-served. Once funding runs out, no more units will be distributed this season.
