Discounts on public services in New York: How to request them in 2026?

Discounts on public services in New York are available for millions of additional households thanks to the expansion of the Energy Affordability Program (EAP). Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new enrollment campaign on September 15, 2026, after the state expanded eligible income limits starting in January of that year, according to confirmation from the New York Governor’s Office.

What is the Energy Affordability Program?

The EAP offers economic relief to New York households whose annual incomes are below the state or area median, depending on each utility company’s service area. The program applies monthly discounts directly to electricity and natural gas bills.

The goal of the EAP is for the typical utility bill to represent less than 6% of household income. Currently, 1,000,000 households are already enrolled across the state, but authorities estimate that 2,500,000 additional households qualify for the benefit.

The discounts can help families save up to $500 per year in electricity and gas costs, according to Hochul during an event on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The exact amount of the discount depends on household size and total income.

Who qualifies for discounts on public services in New York?

All households with incomes below the state median, or the area median for customers of Con Edison, National Grid NYC, or National Grid Long Island, qualify for the EAP. This expansion went into effect in January 2026 and allows families with incomes above $100,000 to also access the benefit.

Electricity and natural gas companies automatically enroll households receiving benefits from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), regardless of the type of fuel used. Eligibility was also expanded to include other public assistance programs available in New York. The following programs grant automatic enrollment to the EAP:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
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