New York State's Energy Affordability Program (EAP) expanded eligibility in January this year to households at or below the state median income. The state says about 2.5 million households are eligible but have not yet applied, and it is urging them to enroll.
New York State estimates that about 2.5 million households are eligible for the Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which cuts electric and gas bills every month, but have not applied. About 1 million households are currently enrolled. On Sept. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to run an enrollment campaign. Applications are submitted online at ny.gov/EAP.
The discount varies by household income. The state says households can save several hundred dollars a year, up to $500. The goal is to bring a typical utility bill below 6% of household income after the discount. Up to half of all households statewide are eligible.
Households that receive heating assistance (HEAP) or Public Assistance are enrolled automatically. Households that use SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Lifeline phone service, federal public housing assistance, Head Start and similar programs are also eligible, but because of privacy rules they are not enrolled automatically and must apply themselves.
Since January this year, households can also apply regardless of whether they receive these benefits if their income is at or below the state median income, or, in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties, at or below the area median income. The income limits are shown in the table below.
The table lists, from left, Con Edison and National Grid (New York City), National Grid Long Island, and other areas. Limits for households of six or more can be found at ny.gov/EAP.