*Please note that New York Engineers is NOT part of this program and all applications must be submitted directly at the link below-
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) was introduced by the New York state government to help low-income families cover their energy expenses. HEAP offers a wide range of benefits, and eligible families may receive one per year under normal conditions, or multiple benefits per year under emergency conditions. One of the benefits of HEAP is the Cooling Assistance Program: families can get air conditioning for free if someone in the household suffers from a health problem made worse by the heat.
In addition to having a patient with a heat-sensitive condition, families must meet normal HEAP criteria to be eligible for the Cooling Assistance Program. If you're a developer or architect working in affordable housing, consider telling your tenants about the program so they don't miss out.
Cooling Assistance Program Overview
The 2018 Refrigeration Assistance Program began accepting applications on May 1, and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $3 million in funding is available. Applications are prioritized based on submission date and will continue to be accepted until program funds for the current year are exhausted or until August 31st.
- The program offers up to $800 per installation.
- Registration is per household, which means that the same residence cannot receive more than one air conditioning unit.
- In cases where installing an air conditioner is unsafe, financing can be used for a fan.
- The program requires medical proof of a heat-sensitive health problem affecting one of the home's occupants.
In order to improve the effectiveness of the Refrigeration Assistance Program, it does not apply to households that meet one of the following conditions:
- The household already has an air conditioner that is less than 5 years old.
- The home has already received an AC unit from the Refrigeration Assistance Program for the past 10 years.
The Cold Assistance Program has been very effective in recent years. According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, 4,000 families received new air conditioners in 2017 thanks to the program.
To ensure that installed air conditioners offer good performance , HEAP works with a qualified list of HVAC suppliers. Please note that owners are responsible for maintenance after the unit is installed – financing only covers purchase and installation.
Important recommendation
Although the 2018 application period has just begun, it is highly recommended that applicants complete the procedure as soon as possible. This way, the air conditioning unit will already be operational when the summer heat arrives.
