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Energy Insecurity

People need energy to stay healthy and safe in their homes, but not every New Yorker can afford the energy they need. While conserving energy is good for the environment, being forced to go without energy due to cost is dangerous to your health.

Not being able to afford to pay your energy bill or to buy or maintain a heating or cooling system is a form of energy insecurity. Energy insecurity is the inability to meet household energy needs. If you experience energy insecurity, there are resources in NYC that can help.

Essential Plan Cooling Program

Under the Essential Plan Cooling Program, New York State of Health will provide eligible Essential Plan members with a free air conditioner to help keep their homes cool and mitigate health risks linked to rising temperatures. Learn more: Essential Plan Cooling Program.

Con Edison Resources

Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program provides a discount on monthly electricity and natural gas bills for qualified households who receive government benefits.

Some households are automatically enrolled. You should already be enrolled if you receive the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Safety Net Assistance benefits. If you are already enrolled, it should say so on your bill and online account. If you receive only programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicaid, you are eligible but must apply to enroll.

Submit an application through your online account, by email to EAP@conEd.com, by fax to 212-844-0110, by mail, or in-person at a walk-in center. To apply, you will need to provide a copy of official documentation that someone in your household receives a qualifying benefits program.

Once your application is approved, you will be enrolled for 18 months. To continue your enrollment after that, you will need to submit a new application each year. ConEd will send you a reminder.

For questions and help applying, call ConEd at 800-752-6633.

If you or a member of your household uses electric medical equipment, register it with ConEd at Con Edison: Special Services and Protections.

National Grid Resources

National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program provides a discount on monthly electricity and natural gas bills for qualified households who receive government benefits.

Some households are automatically enrolled. You should already be enrolled if you receive Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Safety Net Assistance benefits. If you are already enrolled, it should say so on your bill and online account. If you receive only programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicaid, you are eligible but must apply to enroll.

Once your application is approved, you will be enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program for 18 months. To continue your enrollment after that, you will need to recertify by submitting a new application each year. National Grid will send you a reminder.

Submit an application online, by email to EAPNY@nationalgrid.com, or by mail. To apply, you will need to provide a copy of official documentation that someone in your household receives a qualifying benefits program.

For questions and help applying, call National Grid at 866-305-1915.

If you or a member of your household uses electric medical equipment, register with National Grid at National Grid: Special Protections.

PSEG Long Island Resources

PSEG Long Island's Household Assistance Program provides a credit on electricity bills for qualified households who are enrolled in certain income-based government programs.

If you are already enrolled, it should say so on your bill and online account. Qualifying programs include Medicaid, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance, among others. If you are eligible, you can apply to enroll. Submit an application online, by email to consumeradvocacy@psegliny.com, or by mail. To apply, you will need to provide a copy of official documentation that someone in your household receives a qualifying benefits program. For questions and help applying, call PSEG Long Island at 631-755-3407.

Once your application is approved, you will be enrolled in the Household Assistance Program for 18 months. To continue your enrollment after that, you will need to recertify by submitting a new application each year.

If you or a member of your household uses life sustaining electric medical equipment, register with PSEG Long Island. For questions, call 1-800-490-0025.

Other Energy Assistance Resources

Apply to the Home Energy Assistance Program for heating bill assistance, help with heating equipment repair or replacement, or a free air conditioner..

Heartshare Energy Assistance has six different funds in collaboration with community-based organizations, each with varying eligibility criteria.

Weatherization Resources

Weatherization involves making improvements to a building, such as patching leaks and adding insulation, to better maintain safe temperatures. This can help you more efficiently heat or cool your home.

  • Sign up for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which offers free energy efficiency upgrades. You are automatically eligible if you receive SSI, HEAP, SNAP, or Public Assistance. This is open to both homeowners and renters. All services are provided without cost to the occupant of the home. However, owners of rental buildings must invest funds toward the cost of weatherization services performed on their property. Find your provider on the NY State Homes and Community Renewal website or call 866-275-3427.
  • NYC Accelerator is a free program that works with owners and managers of privately owned buildings larger than 5,000 square feet to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
  • NYSERDA and Con Edison also offer other incentive and rebate programs for building owners and renters to help lower costs and save energy. These are open to households not eligible for weatherization assistance.
    • NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program helps low- and moderate-income owners and renters in one- to four-family buildings save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence. Visit NYSERDA: EmPower+ for more information on services and how to apply.

Additional Resources

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