New York State HEAP helps pay summer colling bills
The State of New York does its best to ensure that senior citizens, low-income families with young kids and individuals with a serious health issue stay cool during the summer. The HEAP low-income energy assistance program (the state’s version of LIHEAP) provide grant money during the summer with the money allocated to electric bills. Find more details on the NYS summer colling bill assistance from HEAP.
- focus is on ensuring people are prepared to deal with high and humid temperatures and potentially avoid a life threatening condition. In addition to the grants during the summer to pay cooling and electric bills, free fans and air conditioners may also be available. Priority is for the most medically vulnerable New Yorkers, including seniors, disabled, children, and the sick.
Goals on NYS summer electric bill assistance
When someone gets to the really hot days of summer and when they have a medical condition it can be extra difficult for them if they don't have a cooling source. It can also be challenging for the elderly. So the HEAP program, with the summer component, was created to address this. Millions of dollars may be paid out during the summer. In addition, free air conditioning units can be provided to income eligible households statewide. To be qualified for this program, households need to meet all of the state's income guidelines and have at least one household member that suffers from a documented medical condition which is made worse by humidity or heat. Also if you have benefited from the summer HEAP program within the last few years then you may not be qualified. Any free air conditioners, fans, or financial assistance from the HEAP Cooling Bill Assistance Program is disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis . In order to get more information or to apply, you need to call your local Departments of Social Services office. Financially, you must be HEAP eligible and have a medical condition, or a family member, that is worsened by heat. The New York State summer HEAP program can also help low-income families with young kids, such as a newborn. The program has a limited amount of money which is why you shouldn’t wait to apply however there is also crisis LIHEAP grants from the government . The state, using grant money from the HEAP Cooling Assistance Program, will provide for the purchase and installation of a powerful fan or air conditioner . The price of the unit can't exceed $800. In addition, the unit will be efficient. As whenever possible, window air conditioning units with an Energy Star rating will be installed. In those circumstances or households in which an air conditioner cannot be safely or economically used, a free box fan will be provided. Only one air conditioner will be provided per applicant. The state will even assist with getting the air conditioner installed. Your local office will have information on participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendors. While they can help install it, it will be the homeowners responsibility to maintain the air conditioner in good working order. This includes the responsibility to cover, remove, clean, store, and/or reinstall the unit after vendor installation.
Applying to New York State HEAP to pay cooling bills
New York State will generally be accepting applications during the spring for cooling assistance with applications at local social service offices in NYS . Enrollment is offered early to help ensure that air conditioners as well as the government grant money to pay for electricity gets to those people who need the most help. The program will only usually run until July, or until funds run out. Note the state does not offer HEAP money every summer as it depends on overall funding. Some of the other qualifications for assistance during the summer include you and your household members need to be either United States Citizens or so called qualified aliens. As indicated, the household needs to have an individual that is at risk. This can include a documented and certified medical condition that is exacerbated by heat. Or a very young child or senior member of the family. Income restrictions are in place too in order the get summer HEAP funds. Many people who receive Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or TANF will automatically qualify. Or dial 800-342-3009 for more details.