BILL NUMBER: S7578
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to expanding eligibility for the cooling assistance
component of the home energy assistance program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To open up the "Cooling Assistance Benefit" of HEAP to more individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 states "Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regu-
lation to the contrary an applicant for the cooling assistance component
of the home energy assistance program shall not be required to demon-
strate that the household contains at least one person with a documented
medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat to be eligible for
a cooling assistance component benefit."
 
JUSTIFICATION:
21 of the 31 Days in July 2023 were over 85 Degrees within New York
City. The Heat Index in New York City is also exacerbated by high humid-
ity, density poor air quality and other environmental factors, making
the heat unbearable and a real risk to human health. The nominal price
of a mid-sized air conditioner can easily be $350-$500. While a "Cool-
ing Assistance Benefit" wisely exists under the HEAP Program, it has far
too many restrictions. Asking people to schedule a Doctor's visit and
then get certified before qualifying is an unreasonable and time-consum-
ing hurdle. This bill excises this particular pre-requisite, in the name
of efficiency and public health. This condition was also excised during
the COVID Pandemic with no evidence of negative results; going back to
that standard is logical and will increase the actual benefit to the
public.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Thirty Days, with applicable conditions.