As people across the Central Valley are prepping for the summer heat, a California rebate program is offering up to 90 percent of the cost of repairing a car’s air conditioning unit for low-income residents.
Edith Duarte, the Cool Air Rebate Program Manager, explained that the importance of the program is that not only is it uncomfortable to drive around the heat, but when people ride around with their windows down, it can pose a health risk during Valley Fever season.
“Driving in a car with a, with a broken AC system, it’s not very comfortable, but it’s also not great for kids, and for seniors to be in a, in a hot car, it could be bad for your health,” said Duarte. “And then additionally, too, when it does get really warm, people tend to open the windows and try to just get at least some airflow through, but we know that there’s Valley Fever that lives in some of the dust that can get into your system and into your respiratory system when you do that.”
To qualify for the program, residents must have a vehicle that was manufactured between 1993 and 2019, or a vehicle with R-134a refrigerant. Applicants can check the income reference chart here or answer questions to see if they pre-qualify. To qualify for the program, community members can provide a CalFresh or CalWorks verification of benefits letter or income verification, such as a W2. Applicants must also provide a California address where they reside.
Duarte stated that it takes about a week after applying to know if you are approved for the program. Once approved, the applicant will receive an email that they can show to any shop that is certified with the program. The rebate program will pay the shop directly for 90 percent, and the applicant will pay the remainder. A map of shops that participate in the program can be found here.
