Porcupine Soup is reporting New York officials May 2, announced the availability of $15 million to help low-income residents who suffer from serious health issues aggravated by the heat to stay cool this summer. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the funding through the Home Energy Assistance Program provides an air conditioner to any eligible household with a family member who suffers from a medical condition that can be intensified by extreme heat. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria and income guidelines, which vary by household size. For example, a household of four can earn up to just over $60,000 a year, or roughly $5,000 a month, and still qualify for assistance. Households located in government-subsidized housing with heat included in their rent will continue to qualify for a cooling benefit, provided someone living there suffers from a medical condition that can be aggravated by extreme heat. Applications for cooling assistance are now being accepted at local departments of social services and will continue through August 30, or until funding runs out. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Greene County DSS can be reached at (518) 719-3700, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Columbia County DSS is available at (518) 828-9411, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Read the full story at porcupine soup [dot] com.