Governor Hochul Announces Enrollment Push for State Energy Affordability Program Yields More Than 21,000 Household Applications in Just Two Weeks

Multi-Agency Effort To Enroll Households Proves to be a Major Success

Governor Hochul today announced that more than 21,000 additional New York households have applied for utility bill relief through the State’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) within the first two weeks of the enrollment drive that kicked off on September 15.

“Under my Energy Affordability Agenda, New York is leaving no stone unturned in finding ways to lower energy costs for consumers,” Governor Hochul said. “A few weeks ago, we launched an intensive effort to make more New Yorkers aware of their eligibility for utility bill relief of up to hundreds of dollars a year. It has been a great success — the number of applications alone proves that the need is great, and that there is a measurable benefit to households across the state — but they need to enroll.”

The EAP enrollment drive, organized by the Department of Public Service, has reached over one million New Yorkers, local governments and community organizations through digital platforms and in-person events across New York State. The program website, ny.gov/EAP, has seen nearly 200,000 visits since the program launch, peaking at 40,000 on September 16, up from 79 on September 1. Multiple state agencies have been participating in outreach through digital advertising, direct mail, email and/or texts to ensure that all New Yorkers know if they can qualify and apply. The outreach will continue online and in-person at tabling events throughout the fall.

The program offers monthly discounts to make typical electric and natural gas utility bills less than six percent of household income. New Yorkers should check eligibility guidelines and apply online via ny.gov/EAP. Some households will be automatically enrolled based on their participation in other programs, such as the Home Energy Assistance Program or the Public Assistance (i.e., Temporary Assistance), which are administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Customers who participate in other programs, including 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, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations also qualify, but due to Federal restrictions cannot be automatically enrolled; these customers must self-enroll with proof of eligibility.

Below are application numbers in September by utility area. 

Week Ending	Central Hudson	Con Edison	National Grid	NFG	NYSEG	RG&E	O&R	PSEG	TOTALS
9/21/2026	315	5,262	4,208	473	1,060	699	292	385	12,694
9/28/2026	474	3,198	2,890	328	879	497	313	313	8,892
Drive Totals	789	8,460	7,098	801	1,939	1,196	605	698	21,58

In September 2026, the Public Service Commission initiated a proceeding to implement several energy affordability initiatives including an Energy Affordability Index. This Index will be used to evaluate energy affordability in New York State and if a utility’s Affordability Index exceeds a six percent target (three percent for electric and three percent for gas), the Commission may install an independent Affordability Monitor to provide additional scrutiny of utility operations and expenditures.