Governor Kathy Hochul announced new resources to help some New Yorkers with asthma when the summer heat begins to hit.
The programs will assist in access affordable cooling at home and at cooling centers, provide additional support for cool and resilient buildings, help keep kids cool at schools, and offer new tools and expanded funding for communities to prepare for and adapt to extreme heat and mitigate urban heat islands.
“Scorching summer temperatures and increasing extreme weather events threaten the lives and well-being of New Yorkers across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “That's why I'm directing State agencies to take action and ensure all New Yorkers can afford and access relief from the full spectrum of heat risks.”
Over 120,000 Suffolk County residents are on the Essential Plan and if you or someone in your family has asthma, you could get some help.
The newly created Essential Plan Cooling program will provide eligible Essential Plan members a free air conditioner to help keep their homes cool. The air conditioner will be delivered and installed by an approved vendor.
Air conditioning units will be available to Essential Plan members on a first-come, first-serve basis until August 31, 2025 or until funds run out. If an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.
Installation cannot exceed $900 for a window or portable air conditioner or $500 for a standing floor fan. For an existing wall sleeve unit replacement, installation cannot exceed $1,100. Cash benefits are not available.
Who Can Get an Air Conditioner
To qualify, you must submit an application for the Essential Plan Cooling Program and meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be enrolled in NY State of Health’s Essential Plan.
- Have persistent asthma meaning you experience asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing attacks, chest tightness, or chest pain much of the time or need a daily medication for asthma to control your symptoms
- Have not received a cooling unit in the past five years through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Program.
- Request installation at the permanent residential address on file with NY State of Health
The application will take five to ten minutes to complete. Note that if you navigate away from the application your information will not be saved, so plan to complete your application in one sitting.
- When you click on the application link, you will leave the NY State of Health website and be redirected to the Essential Plan Cooling Program application.
- Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2025, or until funds run out.