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# New York Opens Utility Discounts to 2.5 Million More Households
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-new-york-2026-09-16-b/
- Published: 2026-09-16T18:42:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-16T18:42:18.000Z
- Description: New York has begun a statewide push to enroll roughly 2.5 million newly eligible households in monthly utility discounts, with income thresholds and application steps varying by service territory.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: State News, New York

New York has begun a statewide enrollment drive for utility-bill discounts after expanding eligibility to roughly 2.5 million additional households. Nearly 1 million households already receive discounts through the Energy Affordability Program, but the state estimates that millions more now qualify and have not enrolled, according to [the governor's September 15 announcement](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-25-million-more-new-york-households-are-eligible-get-discounts?ref=theamericanquorum.com).

The program applies monthly credits to eligible electric and natural-gas accounts. Discount amounts vary by household income, utility and service, so there is no single statewide benefit. State officials say the savings can reach hundreds of dollars a year and are designed to keep a typical household's energy burden at or below 6 percent of income. The [Department of Public Service's program page](https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program?ref=theamericanquorum.com) directs residents to utility-specific applications and eligibility tables.

The largest change took effect January 13, when eligibility expanded beyond the traditional low-income program to households below state median income. Customers of Con Edison, National Grid in New York City and National Grid on Long Island instead use area median income. That structure recognizes regional income differences, but it also means residents must check the threshold for their utility and household size rather than rely on one statewide dollar limit.

Some customers are automatically enrolled. Households receiving Home Energy Assistance Program benefits or certain forms of public assistance may already have the discount, although automatic matching is not universal because agencies cannot always share program data. Other eligible households, including many added through the median-income expansion, must apply. A [2026 Department of Public Service fact sheet](https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program-fact-sheet-2026?ref=theamericanquorum.com) lists qualifying programs and explains that applicants outside automatic enrollment should submit through their utility.

The process and credit differ by service territory. For example, [Con Edison's application page](https://www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-plans-assistance/energy-affordability-program?ref=theamericanquorum.com) requires recent income documentation for customers qualifying under the expanded program and shows separate monthly credits for electric, gas and combined service. Other utilities maintain their own applications. Residents should use the state portal to reach the correct form and should confirm that the utility account name matches the applicant's documentation.

The enrollment push will use digital advertising, direct mail, email and text messages, and coordination with social-service agencies, the governor's office said. That outreach is consequential because the expansion does not automatically convert eligibility into savings. A household can fall below the relevant income threshold and still receive no credit until its utility verifies eligibility.

Customers can start at [ny.gov/EAP](https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program?ref=theamericanquorum.com), select their utility and review the applicable income table. People who already receive HEAP or another listed benefit should first check a recent bill for an Energy Affordability Program credit or contact the utility to verify enrollment. Applicants should also retain confirmation and watch subsequent bills, since the value of the program is realized only after the monthly discount appears on the account.