NOTE: The 2010 HEAP funded air conditioner installation component IN NYC is closed as of close of business Friday, July 23, 2010, as funds allocated for this component have been exhausted. THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE IS NOW OBSOLETE FOR 2010.
Medicaid also may sometimes pay for an air conditioner. See article.
HEAP-funded air conditioners are available in limited supplies to low-income people in NYS, who have an ongoing medical condition made worse by heat. Households may apply from June 14, 2010 through August 13, 2010 or until the funds run out, whichever comes first. Medicaid sometimes also pays for air conditioners --
see below
• Applicants must meet HEAP income eligibility criteria, which can be determined by calling 1-800-342-3009 or going to http://otda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap/
• A written statement from a health care provider documenting that the patient is at risk for heat-related illness must accompany the application. See below for a
template for this statement.
• Households that reside in subsidized housing with heat included in the rent are not eligible for this component.; and
• Households with a working air conditioning unit that is less than 5 years old or that have received a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past 4 years are not eligible for the 2010 cooling assistance.
WHERE TO APPLY:
-
NYC--New York City applicants will apply at their local New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) office. Please note that the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) is not accepting applications for the 2010 cooling component – all applications must be made at HRA. To apply in person,
visit NYC HEAP Cooling application locations.
If the applicant is home bound, he or she can call the HRA info Line at 1-877-472-8411 and request an application. The applications can be mailed to:
HEAP
PO Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York NY 10008
For additional information about the NYC HEAP cooling assistance program, go to HRA's website at
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/directory/heap.shtml
For more information, go to OTDA's website at
http://otda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap/program.asp#cooling
TEMPLATE FOR PHYSICIAN'S LETTER ON LETTERHEAD:
Date
Re: 2010 Cooling Assistance Program
Name: ______________, DOB: ________, age ______ years, is a patient under my care. S/he has a medical or psychiatric condition or takes medication that increases her/his risk for heat-related illness during a heat wave.
As her/his health care provider, I strongly advise that s/he use an air conditioner at home during a heat wave to prevent serious heat-related illness and possibly death. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Signature of health care provider
Medicaid also may sometimes pay for an air conditioner. See article.
This article was authored by the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program of Selfhelp Community Services, Inc.
