Help paying your electric bill in New York
New York got $401.2 million in the HHS table, about $52 for each of its 7,668,956 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-800-342-3009. Heating help reached 1,145,065 households in FY2024.
Who to call in New York
- New York LIHEAP public line1-800-342-3009
- State program siteotda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap
- New York State Public Service Commission800-342-3377 · 800-342-3355 · dps.ny.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in New York
New York: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | New York |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - April 15 During this time-period utilities must make a special effort to determine if shutting heat off will cause health and safety issues. |
| Health or age needs | If elderly, blind, or disabled, extra contact attempts must be made before shutoff. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Utilities Consumer Rights.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 16 NYCRR § 11.5. From November 1 to April 15, a New York utility must try to reach a household at least 72 hours before ending heat-related service to ask about health or safety risks. If it finds a likely serious impairment it cannot terminate unless the local social services commissioner has been notified and reports no risk or an alternative plan, or does not answer within 15 business days. Medical emergency certificates add 30-day periods. Quote: “No utility shall terminate, disconnect or suspend heat-related service for nonpayment where the utility ascertains that a resident is likely to suffer a serious impairment”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | New York: 16 NYCRR § 11.5 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Nov 1 - Apr 15, for residential heat-related service: utility must try to contact the customer or adult resident (phone, then evening/weekend phone, then visit) at least 72 hours before termination to ask whether a resident is likely to suffer serious impairment to health or safety, and again in person at termination. If it finds such risk it may not terminate heat-related service unless it notified the local social services commissioner (orally, then in writing within 5 days) and the commissioner reported that the risk is not likely or an alternative was found; if no report within 15 business days of the written referral the utility may use its discretion. Customer stays liable ((c)(2)). |
| Who is protected | Medical emergency (certified by a medical doctor or local board of health): no termination or refusal to restore; certificate effective 30 days, renewable on showing inability to pay, 60 days if chronic; written certification within 5 business days of phone certification ((a)). Life-support: until commission ends it, 15 days' written notice to commission ((a)(5)). Elderly, blind, disabled: 72-hour diligent contact and referral to social services ((b)). |
| Notice | 72-hour contact in cold season ((c)(2)(i)); final notice 15 days before termination after a medical certificate expires ((a)(6)). |
| Payment plan | Elderly/blind/disabled: plan may include deferred payment agreement ((b)(2)); medical emergency: commission designees help work out payment arrangements ((a)(7)). |
| Who the rule covers | Rule text: 'applies to all or any part of residential utility service, regardless of the type of provider'; terms used: 'utility'. Excludes from the cold-weather subdivision units where heating is not the residential customer's responsibility (multiple dwellings, two-family houses per PSL 33/34). |
Not found in the text we read: heat, complaints; verify with the commission. Did not read §§ 11.2-11.4 (notice and payment terms), the rest of 11.5 after (c)(2)(iii), or § 11.6 onwards, nor commission contact details.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in New York: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | New York | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $401,241,711 = $355,110,557 + $5,774,839 IIJA + $40,356,315 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 60% State Median Income 150% Federal Poverty Level for household size 14 or more | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $21 minimum, $996 maximum Cooling: $10 minimum, $1,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $900 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 1,145,065 Cooling: 23,104 Winter Crisis: 101,748 Weatherization: 6,368 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 3 - April 7 Cooling: April 15 - June 22 Winter Crisis: January 2 - April 7 Weatherization: Year-round* (*If funds are available.) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVNew York in numbers
- New York ranks 10th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($52), 10th on households below the poverty line (13.8%) and 33rd on low-income energy burden (8.4%).
- Per household below the poverty line (1,054,867 of them) the FY26 funds come to $380, rank 17th of 51: 20% of a typical year's electricity ($1,856). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 1,194,936 households got help in FY2022 against 2,308,508 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 52% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $487, 26% of that year.
- Heating season: November 3 - April 7. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $39 (New Jersey) to $86 (Vermont); low-income burden from 5.7% (New Jersey) to 13.1% (Vermont). New York: $52 and 8.4%.
Where New York's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Suffolk County 13.9% (87,119 households); Ulster County 13.4% (20,811 households); Nassau County 12.5% (73,043 households); Hamilton County 11.8% (530 households).
- Most low-income households: Kings County 359,667 (7.2%); Bronx County 269,498 (6.9%); Queens County 248,207 (8.2%).
62 counties.
Am I likely eligible in New York?
New York sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $84,578.
How heavy is the energy bill in New York?
8.4% of income in low-income households, 2.3% overall. Ranking, New York prices.
| Group | Count | New York detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 2,308,508 households | 8.4% of income; $1,827 a year on $21,614 | rank 33 of 51 |
| All households | 7,604,523 households | 2.3%; $2,633 on $112,508 | rank 32 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 1,054,867 households | 13.8% of 7,668,956 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 10 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 26.39 ¢/kWh | bill $155 a month at 586 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in New York
None listed for New York in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
New York on the map
Next to New York
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont. Most FY26 funds per household: Vermont, $86. New York: $52. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in New York
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (New York State Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-800-342-3009 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: New York State Public Service Commission, 800-342-3377.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a New York bill?
$380 per poor household, 20% of $1,856.
How much LIHEAP money does New York get?
$401.2 million in FY2026, $52 per household, rank 10 of 51.
What income limit does New York use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $84,578; FY2022 heating standard 238% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in New York?
Call 1-800-342-3009. Site: http://otda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap/
Can New York utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in New York?
8.4% of income for low-income households, 2.3% for all; $1,827 a year for the first group.
How many New York households got energy help?
1,194,936 in FY2022, 1,145,065 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $487.