In mid-January, New York State announced the launch of the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), an expansion of the existing Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which provides discounts on electricity and gas costs to eligible residents.

“EEAP is a two-year pilot program meant to serve households who don’t qualify for EAP, and it potentially offers some much-needed relief to people and families who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for government benefits,” explained Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Sullivan County Legislature. “All you need to qualify for EEAP is have an active residential electric or gas account with a participating utility, and be under the household income limits.”

NYSEG, Orange & Rockland Utilities and Central Hudson Gas & Electric all participate in both programs, though discounts vary with each. You can only be enrolled with one program at a time, either EEAP or EAP.

About EAP

Established by the NYS Public Service Commission in 2016, the Energy Affordability Program seeks to provide financial relief to low-income New York households by reducing their monthly electric or gas bills.

All large electric and natural gas utilities offer the EAP discount to households receiving benefits from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Veterans Disability/Survivors Pension, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Lifeline Telephone Service and Safety Net Assistance.

To inquire about enrollment, contact your utility:

• NYSEG: Help with Bill or 1-800-600-2275
• Orange & Rockland: Energy Affordability Program or 1-877-434-4100
• Central Hudson: Bill-Discount-Program or 845-452-2700

About EEAP

Launched last month, the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program offers utility bill discounts for income-qualified households that aren’t eligible for EAP, as they don’t participate in State or Federal benefits programs like HEAP or SNAP.

Households having annual income that’s less than these levels are eligible for EEAP:

• 1-person household - $69,477
• 2-person household - $90,854
• 3-person household - $112,232
• 4-person household - $133,609
• 5-person household - $154,986
• 6-person household - $176,364
• 7-person household - $180,372
• 8-person household - $184,380

To apply for EEAP, no matter what utility provides your service, visit Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP) or call 1-877-400-2501. You will need to provide proof of income earned in the past month for all household members (such as pay stubs, Social Security or pension statements, self-employment records, etc.). Be sure to also have your utility account number handy.

For information about both EAP and EEAP, visit Energy-Affordability-Program.