Energy Affordability Program

Learn How to Apply to EAP

Due to the Federal government shutdown, which has now ended, New York’s ability to open its federally-funded HEAP program has been delayed by weeks. In addition to other actions to support HEAP recipients in November 2025, Governor Hochul is encouraging all eligible energy customers to join New York’s Energy Affordability Program, which helps hundreds of thousands of households receive a monthly discount on their energy bills. At the Governor’s direction, DPS is requiring New York’s major utility companies to ensure that any New Yorkers enrolled in EAP will continue to receive their discount, despite the lack of federal funds for the separate HEAP program.

If you’re at risk of utility shutoff, New York State is here to help. Learn about other home heating updates.

EAP seeks to provide financial relief to an estimated 2.7 million New York households with income levels at the Federal Poverty Level. The program is meant to provide financial relief for low-income consumers by making their electric and/or natural gas utility bills more affordable through monthly bill discounts.   

• Energy costs for low-income customers historically have been between 10-20 percent of their income, or sometimes higher.
• The EAP set an energy burden target level at or below 6% of household income for all New York State utility low-income customers.
• The PSC approved the following measures to fulfill a program goal of reaching all eligible low-income households:
  • Established new requirements for utilities to identify and enroll all the income eligible households.
  • Mandated that energy utilities automatically enroll EAP participants in budget billing. Customers may opt-out of the budget billing program at any time by contacting the utility.
  • Updated and standardized the EAP discount amounts to provide more appropriate discount levels.

All large electric and natural gas utilities provide the EAP discount to households that receive a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefit, regardless of fuel or benefit type. In addition, eligibility for the EAP was expanded to include other public assistance programs available for residents of the NY state and/or NY tribal lands.

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
• Lifeline Telephone Service Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Utility Guarantee / Direct Vendor programs
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Safety Net Assistance

Additional Programs for Tribal Lands

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start
• Tribal TANF
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

You may be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from a government assistance program. If you wish to verify if your account is enrolled, please contact your utility. Customers can contact their provider by phone, fax, mail, website, or email for information about the EAP program. The utility will provide information on eligibility, monthly benefit amounts, and any application procedure. 

Find your utility company contact information below:

Beginning in 2026, EAP benefits will be available to utility customers below median income who do not qualify for assistance under the existing EAPs. To be eligible, a utility customer must be at or below the state median income or, in the New York City area and Nassau County, at or below area median income. Contact your utility to learn more.

In addition to utility-administered Energy Affordability Programs, many electric and gas utilities operating in New York offer further financial assistance programs to eligible customers.

Additional Utility GRANT Programs