LIVOAD Action Alert: Extreme Heat Resources

Stay Safe, Stay Cool — Resources for Families, Seniors, and At-Risk Communities

June 2025

With dangerously high temperatures affecting our region, HWCLI's LIVOAD is sharing this urgent update to help protect Long Islanders during extreme heat. Stay safe and take care of one another

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Long Island from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening, with dangerously high temperatures and poor air quality expected.

• Heat Index Values: Up to 96°F today and 99°F on Tuesday
• Air Quality Alert: In effect now now until 11 PM, due to ozone levels above 100
• Heat Advisory Area: All of Nassau County and now includes northeastern Suffolk County
• High Temperatures: Mid-90s Tuesday; Extreme heat may continue through Wednesday
• Relief Expected: Slight cooling expected Thursday through the weekend, with a chance of showers starting Wednesday

Health Risks:

Extreme heat is dangerous for everyone, especially for:

• Older adults
• Children
• Pregnant individuals
• Those with chronic illnesses
• Anyone without access to cooling or hydration

What You Can Do to Stay Safe:

• Stay hydrated and indoors in air-conditioned spaces
• Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours
• Check on vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family
• Seek cooling centers, malls, libraries, or other cool public spaces if you don’t have AC

Long Island Cooling Centers

Use the New York State Department of Health’s Cooling Center Finder to locate a center near your home:

📍 Nassau & Suffolk Counties:

Local libraries, senior centers, town halls, and parks may open as cooling centers during heat advisories.Call 2-1-1 or check your local town or county website to confirm current hours and locations.

📍 Highlights by County:

Nassau County:

By order of the County Executive, Nassau County Cooling Centers will be open as noted below:

• Cantiague Park Administrative Building: 480 W John Street Hicksville, NY 11801 (From 8:00 AM -6:00 PM)
• Wantagh Park Administration Building: 1 King Road Wantagh, NY 11793 (From 8:00 AM -6:00 PM)
• Mitchel Field Complex Administrative Center: 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Uniondale, NY 11553 (Open 24 hours)
• Echo Park – West Hempstead
• Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse – Merrick
• Levittown Town Hall
• Local libraries and senior centers

Suffolk County

• Town of Babylon: Amityville, Deer Park, Wyandanch Libraries
• Town of Brookhaven: Patchogue–Medford, Longwood, Mastic Beach Libraries
• Town of Huntington: South Huntington, Elwood, Cold Spring Harbor Libraries
• 🔗 Full Suffolk County List

Cooling Assistance Programs

1. HEAP Cooling Assistance (via NY State OTDA)

• Benefit: Up to $800–$1,000 for AC/fan purchase and installation
• Eligibility: Low-income households with a member:
• Under 6, over 60, or with a heat-sensitive medical condition (e.g., pregnancy, asthma)
• No working AC unit under 5 years old
• Deadline: Apply by June 23, 2025 (or while funds last)
• How to Apply:
• 💻 myBenefits.ny.gov
• 📞 1-800-342-3009 or through your local DSS office
• 📍 In person: Nassau or Suffolk DSS

💡 Pregnant individuals may qualify with a doctor’s note stating pregnancy is affected by heat.

2.Essential Plan Cooling Program (via NY State of Health & PSEGLI)

• Benefit: Free AC unit with installation
• Eligibility Criteria:
• Be enrolled in NY State of Health’s Essential Plan
• Have persistent asthma — meaning frequent symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain) or need for daily asthma medication
• Have not received a cooling unit via HEAP in the last 5 years
• Install the unit at the permanent residential address on file with NYSOH
• Agree to the program terms and conditions
• Deadline: August 31, 2025, or while supplies last
• How to Apply:
• 🔗 nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call NYSOH directly

Note: Pregnancy will be included in the eligibility criteria starting in 2026 under Governor Hochul’s planned expansion.

3. PSEG Long Island: Household Assistance Program

Lower your electric bills by $45 or more per month and get flexible payment options through PSEG-LI’s Household Assistance Program.

Qualifying Programs: (must show proof within 12 months):

• HEAP
• Medicaid
• SNAP
• SSwI
• Public Assistance
• Child Health Plus
• Veterans Disability Pension
• Federal Housing or Lifeline

📄 Apply Online: psegliny.com/financialassistance

📧 Email: consumeradvocacyli@pseg.com

📞 Customer Assistance Line: 1-800-490-0025

🤝 Need Help Applying? Legal Services of Long Island can assist you with HEAP applications:

• Nassau County: 516-292-8100
• Suffolk County: 631-232-2400



QUICK TIP:

These programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

✅ Check eligibility

✅ Gather documents

✅ Apply immediately

Other Extreme Heat Weather Resources

👶🏽 Pregnancy & Heat Safety Tips

• Rest in cool environments
• Stay hydrated — WIC & SNAP can help you buy cooling snacks
• Elevate legs to reduce swelling
• Safe infant cooling: use lightweight cotton clothes, circulate air (no direct fan or ice on baby)

📱 Get Alerts & Stay Updated

• 🔔 NY-ALERT: nyalert.gov or text “Heat” to 692-692
• 📲 Red Cross Emergency App: Get heat alerts and shelter info
• 🌐 Ready.gov: ready.gov/heat

📄 Shareable Flyers & Educational Materials

• CDC Beat the Heat Flyer – English (PDF)
• CDC “Gánele al Calor” – Spanish (PDF)

Stay safe, stay cool.

— Long Island VOAD

Heat-Related Illnesses: Know the Warning Signs

During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are available here.

Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 911.

Nassau County OEM:  

• https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/1620/Emergency-Management
• Click here to sign up for Nassau County Emergency Alerts

 Suffolk County OEM: 

• https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FRES/
• Click here to sign up for Suffolk County Emergency Alerts

NWS New York Tropical Page: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/tropical

NWS New York Website: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/

NWS New York Summer DSS Website: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/emnew_summer

River Gauges and Forecasts: 

• https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=okx

NWS New York Facebook: 

• http://www.facebook.com/NWSNewYorkNY

NWS New York Twitter: 

• http://www.twitter.com/NWSNewYorkNY

Online Severe Weather Reporting: 

• https://www.weather.gov/okx/SubmitStormReport

To report an outage to PSEG: 

Text OUT to PSEGLI at 773454 or visit:  https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/contactus

To Report a Downed Power Line to PSEG call: 1-800-490-0075

American Red Cross: How to Get Help: 

https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/ or call: 1-877-733-2767 

American Red Cross Preparedness Guide: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/

516-483-1110

connect@hwcli.com

www.hwcli.com

Established in 1947, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) is a regional, nonprofit umbrella organization for health and human service providers dedicated to improving the lives of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents by responding to their needs through the promotion and development of public policies and direct services. To learn more, visit www.hwcli.org or call 516-483-1110.