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Keeping Cool In Hot Weather

NY Connects is an aging and disability resource center. We have people-specially trained operators working to understand your needs and inform you, connect you, work with you to get the help you may need during different events in life. The weather is not predictable — we have seen that snow in early May and high at the end of the month! Keeping cool can be just as important as keeping warm at other times of the year. There are services throughout Chautauqua County that will with disabilities in an enriched quality of life

When it is hot it is important to be able to cool off. Many health conditions are made worse in high heat and humidity. You can call NY Connects about the cooling assistance program with the Home Energy assistance Program-HEAP. If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household. Eligibility is based on income, household size, primary heating source and household members that are under 6, over 60, or permanently disabled. You may be eligible for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool. If you already receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-SNAP benefit you can contact your SNAP case worker to get assistance with the application for the Cooling Assistance program.

The Cooling Assistance benefit is limited and distributed on a first come-first served basis. The program was opened May 1. Remember these other time frames: HEAP is a benefit to New Yorkers that assists them in paying energy bills. In the fall of each year, HEAP also assists you with the Clean & Tune benefit. During the benefit time of the year-HEAP can have the primary heating equipment serviced.

Chautauqua County NY Connects is a program brought to the community by the Chautauqua County department of health and human Services and the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging. Our number is 716-753-4582 and our e-mail is CCNYC@co.chautauqua.ny.us. NY Connects is your trusted place to go for free, unbiased information and assistance. We can help you link to long term services and supports, such as financial benefits, care in your home, health insurance information, transportation and nutrition or food/meals. Our goal is to help individuals remain in their homes for as long as they can. NY Connects serves people of all ages. We can help families, caregivers, and professionals find community help.

How to use the NY Connects? Call us, email, or use the NY Connects Resource Directory. The NY Connects Resource Directory can help you explore long term services and supports your community www.nyconnects.ny.gov anytime.

We can help! You can look at all the HEAP benefits including the cooling Assistance program at https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin.

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