The state of New York offers financial assistance to residents who are struggling to pay their utility, gas, electric, and heating bills. There are payment plans and emergency assistance programs available to help people catch up on their payments and avoid having their services disconnected. Many companies offer payment plans, disconnection help, or other low-income energy bill assistance programs to their customers. There are also financial aid programs from charities and the government, including HEAP and free weatherization. The following is a guide on how to apply for utility bill or deposit help in New York.
The government provides programs to help low income households, the disabled and elderly in New York with utility bills or free HVAC repairs or Air conditioning bill assistance. In addition to providing assistance with emergency utility bills, and funds to help people turn their power or heating service back on, the programs can also provide free energy conservation measures and weatherization assistance to qualified customers. Who do you need to call to apply for help?
Assistance from utility, gas, and electric companies in New York
The Central Hudson Gas & Electric Good Neighbor Fund is a program that helps customers who are experiencing a financial hardship or crisis and who are having difficulty paying their heating or energy bills. The Central Hudson’s Good Neighbor Fund is a financial grant program that provides New York customers with last resort funding to help pay Central Hudson energy bills. Customers who have exhausted all other forms of assistance, including government programs, may be eligible for this grant. Please call (800) 527-2714. Find other programs that Central Hudson offers to help with expenses.
This assistance program will help customers with their electric bills by keeping the customer charge at a pre-1996 level. This is a service for those who receive benefits from the government. If your utility service is turned off for nonpayment, you won’t have to pay a fee to have it reconnected if you’re enrolled in HEAP, Direct Vendor, or SSI.
Those who are qualified and low-income are eligible to receive a $200 grant towards their utility bills. In order to maintain this agreement, they must keep up with the specified terms and agree to defer their payment. If you want to apply or learn more about this program, you can dial 1-800-752-6633.
Consolidated Edison customers in the greater New York City area may be eligible for emergency cash assistance to pay current and older electric bills. Other energy bill saving programs may also be available. Some are government funded, and others are administered directly by Consolidated Edison. Consolidated Edison has programs to help customers with their energy bills. These programs may include financial assistance, payment plans, and discounts on energy-efficiency products and services.
Many energy and natural gas companies in New York State offer private funding for heating bills, or can direct customers to government assistance programs. Grants can help with expenses during the winter, or provide free help with conserving energy and being more efficient. There is additional information available on assistance with heating bills in New York.
The non-profit HeartShare provides gas, cooling, and heating bill assistance to residents of almost 40 counties in New York. The region includes both the northern and southern parts of the state, from Erie County to Albany. The only area not supported in mostly just downstate, around New York City. If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, there are some programs that may offer financial assistance. These programs are only available to people who meet certain income requirements. Please continue reading on our website, Care and Share in New York, for more information.
The program provides low-income families with winter heating assistance. The Keyspan Project Warmth program provides winter heating assistance to low-income families. The program is funded by KeySpan and customer contributions. The assistance program is run by United Way of Long Island. If you want more information, call 631-940-3700.
The Long Island Power Authority Residential Energy Affordability Partnership provides access to energy-saving devices and education on energy efficiency. Eligible devices for residential customers include compact fluorescent light bulbs, water heater insulating jackets, refrigerators, air and duct sealing and insulation, and for customers with electric heat or central air conditioning: central air-conditioning tune-ups and filter replacements, attic, floor and wall insulation, programmable thermostats, and energy-efficient water devices. To speak to someone on the phone, call 1-800-490-0025 or 1-800-263-6786.
The Long Island Power Authority (PSEG) also manages other assistance programs for utility bills. Some solar panel programs are funded by the government, and others are offered directly by the Long Island Power Authority. The additional resources offered to qualified customers from assistance programs from Long Island Power are designed to help those who may be struggling to pay their bills. The resources include things like energy efficiency programs that can help reduce the amount of power used, and assistance with paying bills.
The utility company NFG offers a discount of up to 40% to customers who are eligible for LIHEAP and who owe $300 or more on their bill. To qualify for the discount, customers must keep up with their current bill payments. This means that if you have unpaid, older bills, the company may agree to waive them. The phone number for customer service is 1-800-365-3234.
The National Fuel Gas Assistance program helps payment-troubled customers who are at least 62 years of age, blind, and/or disabled. The plan offers customers a lower monthly gas rate on their bills, debt forgiveness, conservation measures, emergency heating equipment repair/replacement, and weatherization. To speak to customer service, please call 1-800-365-3234.
The fund helps families and individuals prevent disconnection of their utility service or pay current or past due energy bills. The money can be used to buy home heating fuel or oil. The phone number is 1-800-365-3234.
National Fuel provides several emergency programs and resources for low-income individuals. For more information about National Fuel assistance programs, please click here.
National Grid is an energy company that provides electricity and gas to Long Island, New York City, and the upstate region of New York. There are several financial assistance and discount programs available for customers who are struggling to pay their gas or electric bills. They provide assistance with payments, fuel, and energy bill savings. New York National Grid offers assistance programs for customers who may be struggling to pay their energy bills. These programs include budget billing, which allows customers to pay a fixed amount each month, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income households.
National Grid provides financial assistance to those in need through Heart Share Human Services of New York. Funds are given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Call 1-800-642-4272 or 718-403-2171 or 718-643-4050 to speak with a customer representative.
Low to moderate income customers and households may be eligible for a discount on their utility bills. If you are receiving government aid, you may be eligible for assistance with your security deposit and reconnection fees. Call 1-800-642-4272 or 718-403-2171.
National Grid is a utility company that provides financial assistance, education, grants, and energy and financial management to low-income customers, elderly, disabled, and others. Customers who agree to the payment plan may receive credits on past due accounts. To get help from customer service, you can call 1-800-642-4272, 718-403-2672, or 718-403-2171.
The company provides water services to several hundred thousand customers in many parts of New York state. If you think you will have difficulty paying your water bill, please contact the water company as soon as possible. If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with your payments or other support. If you are having trouble paying your water bill, New York American Water offers assistance programs to help.
The residents of New York City have access to a number of emergency heating and utility bill assistance programs. There are a few things that can help people get through the cold winter months, like grants, cash, and weatherization assistance. More information on how to get help paying for heating and utility bills in New York City.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) may be able to help. EAP is a government assistance program that helps people pay their energy bills. To qualify, you must meet certain income requirements. If you qualify, the EAP will help you pay your energy bills. The Basic Benefit provides a monthly credit to help pay a customer’s bill, while the EAP Limited Benefit forgives past-due bills and expenses. The funding for this program is not unlimited and may not be available at all times. Please call 800.572.1111.
The New York State Electric and Gas Project Share is a donation program that helps to fund various projects throughout New York State. The program is funded through donations from NYSEG customers, employees, retirees, and local businesses. This assistance program will help customers pay for energy emergencies, such as heating oil, fuel bills, home weatherization, repairs to heating equipment, and replacement of water heaters and tanks. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are two organizations that can help you in times of need. Call either of them to learn more about their services or to apply for assistance. The number for the phone is 800.572.1111.
There are several other services and emergency cash assistance programs administered in addition to the two resources listed above. This website provides information about assistance programs offered by NYSEG.
The National Grid (formerly Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Affordability Payment Plan) is a utility assistance program that helps qualified low to moderate customers make an affordable monthly payment toward their Niagara Mohawk utility bill. The program also includes an arrearage forgiveness arrangement to reduce past bills. This is the customer service number for Best Buy.
This program provides energy efficiency services to qualified participants that may include replacing old appliances, weatherizing the home, installing energy efficient light fixtures, and/or switching the clothes dryer to a different fuel source. Call 1-800-642-4272
This service provides financial assistance to households in which a member is 60 or older, or is disabled and receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, or is experiencing a medical emergency. The American Red Cross offers a program that can help you learn first aid and CPR skills. To find out more about the program, contact your local American Red Cross chapter. The phone number for customer service is 1-800-642-4272.
The Neighbor Fund helps low-income families with money and other assistance. Please call 845-352-9577
If you use propane to heat your home and are having trouble paying for it, AmeriGas may be able to help you. If you are having trouble paying your heating bills, you may be eligible for a grant from LIHEAP. LIHEAP is a program administered by the federal government that provides financial assistance to low-income households. AmeriGas provides funding for LIHEAP. We also have other programs and payments plans. The AmeriGas Foundation can help with financial assistance for those who need help paying their gas bill.
This service is administered by the American Red Cross, and the fund may be able to assist people who are not eligible for various federal and New York State government assistance programs, such as HEAP. This program provides cash grants to help people pay for heating during the winter. To reach customer service, please dial 800.743.2110. Look for other help programs from RG&E.
The summer can be a difficult time for people who have trouble paying for cooling and air conditioning. Senior citizens, people with a medical condition, and families with young children may all qualify for financial assistance and grants during the summer. This can help them stay cool and comfortable during the hottest months of the year. If you qualify, the government will provide you with money for your schooling. The money can be used to pay for electricity bills or it can be used to provide free fans or air conditioners for low income residents. The New York Cooling Bill Assistance program provides financial assistance to low-income households to help them pay for their cooling costs during the summer.
Low income utility bill help from government assistance programs
There are two main government assistance programs for low-income residents in New York: the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and free energy conservation from weatherization. Both grants and cash assistance can be used to help pay for utility and heating bills. The federal government provides weatherization services for free to low-income households. This can help reduce the amount that a client needs to pay going forward. What are some things I should know about the HEAP program and weatherization in New York?
The New York Energy Smart program helps low- and moderate-income households in New York save money on their energy costs by providing affordable energy efficiency improvements. This program is for households that are not eligible for the federal government funded Weatherization Assistance Program. There may also be free, energy-efficient appliances. The number to reach customer service is 1-877-697-6278.
There are other government or non-profit organizations that can help with utility bills or a deposit for new service. This means that there are grants available for people who are experiencing difficult life circumstances. There is also general advice and information available on government programs and services, such as free heating oil. Other utility assistance programs may be available to help with utility bills.