Apply Now for HEAP Cooling Benefit

Liberty, NY - Worried about suffering in the heat this summer? Sullivan County's HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) Office has begun accepting Cooling Benefit applications, but only until funds run out.

The Cooling Benefit can provide eligible applicants with an air conditioner in a room in their home. In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be offered. Only one unit will be provided per household, and no additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:

• Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table, or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or
• You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or
• You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or
• You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government-subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, or
• Your household contains at least one individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat, and
• Your household contains a vulnerable member based on their age (60 years or older, or under age 6) which meet all other component eligibility criteria, or
• A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen, and
• You currently do not have a working air conditioner, or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and
• You did not receive a HEAP-funded air conditioner within the past five years.

Households that have received any kind of HEAP benefit in this past season are eligible to apply for Cooling over the phone: 845-807-0142. If a household has not received a HEAP benefit in this past season, they must complete a full HEAP application - available at the Department of Social Services in Liberty or the Office for the Aging in Monticello. The HEAP Office can also mail printed applications to people by request.

The State is urging clients to apply as soon as possible due to limited funding. Air-conditioners will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program will end when funds are exhausted.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call a HEAP staff member at 845-807-0142, prompt 2. Any requested documents can be faxed to 845-292-4651 or emailed to HEAP@sullivanny.gov.