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Financial help to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan

Cooling Assistance Benefit | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

How it Works

The Cooling Assistance benefit helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan to help their home stay cool.

  • 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 fan
    • administrative costs
    • labor
    • program support
    • materials
    • removal of your old unit
    • minor repairs that are needed to safely install the new unit
  • Only one air conditioner or fan will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

Determine your eligibility

You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if all these apply to you:

  1. 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
  2. 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; or
    • Someone age 60 or older; or
    • A child under age 6; and
  3. A member of your household is a U.S. Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen; and
  4. You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the one you have is at least five years old; and
  5. You did not receive a HEAP-funded air conditioner in the last five years.
Household Size Maximum Monthly Gross Income for 2024-2025
1 $3,322
2 $4,345
3 $5,367
4 $6,390
5 $7,412
6 $8,434
7 $8,626
8 $8,818
9 $9,010
10 $9,201
11 $9,393
12 $9,585
13 $9,952
For each additional person Add $672

 


What you need to include

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

Proof of residence (where you live)

Proof of your income

Proof of identity

Proof of social security

Proof of medical condition


More information

Visit the website

Visit the NYS OTDA website to learn more about the Cooling Assistance benefit.

Call 311

Ask for help with the Cooling Assistance benefit.

Call HEAP

Call 718-557-1399 if you have questions about the benefit.


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Last Updated December 20, 2024