As New York faces its first fierce heat wave of the season, the state’s free AC program is set to halt applications by 5 p.m. Monday—just when scorching temperatures are set to soar past 100°F. While relief reaches some through selective state and city plans, a silent worry shadows thousands of older New Yorkers left outside these support lines. With rising heat and vanishing aid, this tale of timing, exclusion, and survival unfolds beneath the city’s blazing skies—quietly turning discomfort into danger for its most vulnerable.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Applications for free ACs close Monday at 5 p.m.

• Heat wave brings life-threatening temperatures near 100°F

• New asthma-based AC program excludes senior population

• Over 500 heat-related deaths occur annually in NYC

• Advocates demand alternative options for vulnerable elderly

• City claims over 300 senior centers are available for relief

As the city braces for a blistering heatwave with temperatures forecasted to hover dangerously close to 100 degrees, a critical state program offering free air conditioners to low-income residents is set to close applications by 5 p.m. Monday. For many New Yorkers—particularly the city’s vulnerable older population—the timing couldn’t be worse.

The program in question, the Cooling Assistance benefit under the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), has been active since April. It provides eligible applicants up to $800 for a window air conditioning unit or $1,000 for a wall-mounted sleeve unit. However, as demand spikes and temperatures rise, the application portal is being shut just when it is needed the most.

While cooling centers and assistance programs do exist across the city, advocates warn they do not fully address the specific challenges facing older adults—especially those who are homebound or suffer from mobility issues.

A separate state-level initiative announced last Friday by Governor Kathy Hochul aimed at offering free air conditioners targets only a very specific demographic—people between the ages of 19 and 64 who have persistent asthma and are enrolled in the Essential Health Insurance Plan. The age cut-off alone disqualifies many of the state’s most heat-vulnerable residents.

Allison Nickerson, executive director of LiveOn NY, a non-profit that supports older adults across the city, voiced deep concerns about the gaps in coverage.

“So it really leaves people with very little options,” Nickerson said in a phone interview.

“The city does offer cooling centers, which is phenomenal, but for people who cannot leave their homes, it is a serious concern.”

Many seniors live alone or suffer from chronic conditions that prevent them from accessing the very facilities meant to help them during heat emergencies. Even though over 300 older adult centers have been opened as cooling spaces across the five boroughs, the reality for many is that transportation, health, or isolation prevent them from taking advantage of these services.

Deputy Press Secretary William Fowler, representing City Hall, pointed to the city’s broader commitment to its senior population in response to the criticism.

“From launching the first-of-its-kind interagency cabinet for older New Yorkers, to building record numbers of affordable senior housing two years in a row, the Adams administration has always prioritized older New Yorkers,” Fowler stated.

“We are continuing to distribute free air conditioners and fans through our Cooling Assistance program and working to ensure that our older population stays cool and safe.”

Still, for those confined to their homes or living without proper cooling appliances, help remains elusive. According to data from the city, more than 500 people die prematurely every year due to extreme heat. The majority of those deaths occur among people aged 60 and older, often in households without air conditioning.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System notes that older adults are statistically less likely to have or use air conditioners—not due to preference, but primarily because of the cost associated with electricity usage. As a result, many choose between running an AC unit and affording food, medication, or other essentials.

Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer warned of broader consequences. Referring to proposed federal budget cuts, Schumer cautioned that reductions to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) could create impossible choices for families.

“Many families may be forced to choose between paying for air conditioning and other necessities such as food and medications,” Schumer had said.

With the state’s HEAP cooling funds likely to be depleted soon and the newly announced asthma-based program excluding older adults altogether, advocates say it’s time for lawmakers to act.

Nickerson emphasized the urgent need for more inclusive policies.

“In recognition that the new state AC program, which is part of the Essential Plan in New York State, does not include older people, there should be an alternative program for older adults,” she said.

“And in recognition that the HEAP program is running out, there should be an alternative.”

Despite repeated queries, Governor Hochul’s office has not responded to questions about whether additional relief measures for seniors are in the pipeline.

As the city endures scorching conditions with no immediate end in sight, advocates warn that unless swift action is taken, New York’s most vulnerable residents could once again be left to weather the worst—alone and uncooled.