NYC HEAP Cooling Assistance: How to Get $800 for an AC

New York State's HEAP Summer Cooling Assistance benefit covers up to $800 for income-qualified households — enough for a window AC, professional installation, materials, and removal of your old unit. For most NYC renters who qualify, the out-of-pocket cost is $0.

Almost nobody knows it exists. Here's a complete guide to who qualifies, what's covered, and how to actually get the money.

What HEAP cooling actually covers

• One window AC unit (typically 5K–10K BTU) OR portable AC OR fan.
• Installation labor (a few hundred dollars worth in NYC).
• Brackets, screws, mounting materials.
• Removal of your old AC unit if you have one.
• One unit per household per benefit year.

The total cap is $800 for AC units (or $500 for fans). If your unit + install runs under that cap, the program covers the entire bill.

Who qualifies

HEAP cooling eligibility is based on three things: household size, monthly income, and whether you receive certain other benefits.

1. Income-based eligibility (2025–2026 season)

Note: amounts update annually. Always confirm current limits on the OTDA HEAP page.

2. Categorical eligibility (auto-qualifies)

You automatically qualify regardless of income if your household receives any of:

• SNAP (food stamps)
• Temporary Assistance (TANF or Safety Net)
• Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• HEAP regular (winter heating) benefit during the same benefit year

3. Medical necessity

Even if you don't qualify by income or category, you may still qualify if a household member has a documented medical condition exacerbated by heat — asthma, COPD, heart disease, pregnancy. You'll need a signed statement from a medical provider.

What you'll need to apply

• Proof of identity for all household members (any combination of ID + birth certificate + Social Security card).
• Proof of NYC residence (lease, utility bill).
• Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefits statement, SSI letter).
• Recent Con Edison or National Grid bill showing your account is in your name.
• If applying on medical necessity: letter from your doctor.
• If you already have an AC and just need it installed: a photo of the unit.

How to apply

Option 1: Online via ACCESS NYC (recommended)

Go to access.nyc.gov/programs/cooling-assistance-benefit and start a new application. Estimated time: 25 minutes if you have your documents ready.

Option 2: In person at a HEAP office

Five NYC HEAP offices (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) take walk-ins. Recommended only if you don't have a smartphone or computer — wait times during the season can be 2–4 hours.

Option 3: Call

NY State HEAP hotline: 1-800-342-3009. They walk you through eligibility and mail you a paper application if eligible.

How long until you get the AC

From submitted application to installed AC: 3–6 weeks in normal times, 6–10 weeks during peak heat (late July). The process:

1. Application submitted (day 0).
2. Eligibility determination (1–3 weeks).
3. Voucher mailed or assigned to a vendor (1–2 weeks).
4. Installer schedules + completes install (1–2 weeks).

Apply in late April for an early-June install. Apply in July and you're racing the humidity.

What to do if you're denied

• Request a written explanation. The denial letter must specify the reason.
• Appeal within 60 days. Most denials are documentation errors that can be cured on appeal.
• Apply for medical necessity if you were denied on income alone.
• Re-apply next year if circumstances change.

How RentACNYC fits in

We are working toward becoming a HEAP-certified vendor — when that happens (target: summer 2026), we can bill ACCESS NYC directly so you never pay out of pocket. In the meantime:

• We help you fill out the application (free, no obligation).
• We send a photo + invoice you can use for reimbursement claims.
• If you're not eligible, our seasonal rental from $629 for the full summer may still beat your alternatives.

Take the 30-second eligibility check: rentacnyc.com/heap. Or email heap@rentacnyc.com and our team will help you apply.

We are not a government office. We help NYC residents navigate HEAP, but the program is run by NY State OTDA via NYC HRA. For the official source, visit OTDA's HEAP page.