On Sept. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a new statewide enrollment effort to help millions of New Yorkers get monthly discounts on their energy bills through the State’s Energy Affordability Program, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.
One million households are already enrolled in the EAP statewide, but the new effort outlines 2.5 million more households are eligible. Discounts are set to make a typical household utility bill less than six percent of household income.
According to Hochul, the expansion could save households up to $500 annually on their energy bills.
"Right now, 2.5 million eligible New Yorkers are leaving money on the table and I'm on a mission to help keep the lights on and costs down by launching an all-of-government push to get them enrolled in this money saving program," Hochul said.
Households are automatically enrolled in the EAP if they are enrolled in the Home Energy Assistance Program or the Public Assistance program, which are administered by the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance.
Some households may not be enrolled due to privacy restrictions on auto-enrollment, but can self-enroll to receive discounts at dps.ny.gov. This applies to households already enrolled in the following programs: SNAP, Medicaid, Veterans’ Disability or Survivors Pension, Supplemental Security Income, Lifeline Telephone Service Program, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Utility Guarantee, Direct Vendor Programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Safety Net Assistance, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start, Tribal TANF and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
Households at or below the following income levels are now eligible for discounts:
New Yorkers can visit the Department of Public Services EAP page to learn more and enroll.
