Hochul: 2.5 million more NY households eligible to get discounts on utility bills

Governor launches new push to enroll millions of in state’s energy affordability program (EAP), helping them save up to hundreds of dollars per year on utilities; half of all NYS households eligible for monthly discounts

√ Visit ny.gov/EAP to learn about eligibility and how to enroll

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul 

Gov. Kathy Hochul has launched a new statewide enrollment drive to help millions more New Yorkers get a monthly discount on their utility bills through the state’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP). While 1 million households statewide are already enrolled in the EAP, the state estimates approximately 2.5 million more households are eligible to enroll for monthly discounts – including many that are now eligible due to Hochul’s expansion of program eligibility. Depending on household income, the EAP can help New Yorkers save up to hundreds of dollars per year on utility costs, with discounts set to make a typical utility bill less than 6% of household income.

"As Washington Republicans keep driving up the cost of energy, gas and groceries, I’ll never stop working to help New Yorkers keep more money in their pockets,” Hochul said. “That’s why I expanded access to our Energy Affordability Program – a move that will save residents across the state 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. I encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of this opportunity by visiting NY.gov/EAP today."

EAP and expanded eligibility

Up to half of all New York households are eligible to receive monthly utility discounts through the EAP. While some households are automatically enrolled based on their participation in other programs, many other households can enroll by applying online via ny.gov/EAP. Households can save up to hundreds of dollars per year on their utility costs with EAP discounts – and the size of the EAP discount is based on household income.

Households are automatically enrolled in the EAP if they are currently enrolled in the Home Energy Assistance Program or the public assistance (i.e., temporary assistance), which are administered by the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Households are also eligible for EAP discounts if they are currently enrolled in numerous other programs. However, these households are not automatically enrolled in the EAP due to customer privacy restrictions that prevent automatic enrollment. These households can self-enroll to receive EAP discounts by applying online. This applies to households currently enrolled in:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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 (TANF)

Safety Net Assistance

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Head Start

Tribal TANF

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Effective January 2026, Hochul’s administration also expanded eligibility to include New York households that are below the state median income, or below area median income in New York City, Westchester and Nassau County. These households can also enroll by applying online via ny.gov/EAP.

Under this expansion, households at or below the following income levels are also now eligible for monthly utility discounts: