NEW YORK (PIX11) – The weather is getting warmer out, which means we’re fast approaching air conditioner season in New York City.
But if you’re struggling to afford an AC or fan, you can apply to get either one for free, according to ACCESS NYC. Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit open next week, officials said.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting a free air conditioner or fan:
What does the benefit cover?
You can get up to $800 for a window, portable air conditioner or fan and up to $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, ACCESS NYC wrote on its website.
The cost of the air conditioner or fan, administrative costs, labor, materials, removal of old air conditioners, minor repairs and program support are all covered by the cooling assistance benefit, officials said.
Who is eligible?
The factors that are used to determine someone’s eligibility for a free air conditioner include the following:
- A household’s monthly gross income (a household of two people making $4,345 or under a month might be eligible for the benefit)
- A household is receiving SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance or SSI Living Alone
- A person has received a HEAP regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year/HEAP regular benefit that equals $21 and you live in government housing with heat included in rent
A person in the household needs to have a medical condition that worsens due to heat, be age 60 or older or be under the age of 6 to be eligible for the cooling benefit, according to ACCESS NYC. A member of the household also needs to be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Households also can't have a working air conditioner or the one they currently have is at least five years old. They also couldn't have received a free air conditioner from the cooling benefit in the past five years, ACCESS NYC wrote on its website.
For more information on household monthly gross income maximums for eligibility, click here.
What documents do you need in your application?
Anyone planning to apply for a free air conditioner will need to provide proof of residence, income, identity, social security and medical conditions.
Click here to find out what documents are required to apply.
How to apply
Residents of New York City can apply for a free air conditioner or fan by clicking here. Applications open on April 15, according to ACCESS NYC.
To find out more about how to get a free air conditioner, check out ACCESS NYC.
You can also find information on the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) on the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's website.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
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