Summary

The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) provides a monthly discount which is applied directly to electric and gas bills for eligible households. Enrollment may be automatic for certain households; others will need to apply or provide proof of eligibility.

To qualify, households must either participate in a qualifying program, such as SNAP, or meet the expanded income guidelines under the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP). Households that qualify through EEAP do not need to enroll in any qualifying program to receive the discount.

EAP provides the same utility bill discount regardless of how a household qualifies. This chapter explains the two eligibility pathways: qualifying through a benefit program or through EEAP's expanded income guidelines.

Description of EAP

Benefit

The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) provides a monthly discount on electric and gas bills for eligible households. The discount is applied directly to the household's utility bill.

The amount of the discount varies by utility provider, fuel type (heating or non-heating), income tier, and eligibility pathway. New York State describes the program as “helping keep household energy costs at or below approximately 6% of household income,” although actual discounts amounts vary.

EAP is available through participating utility companies across New York State, including Con Edison and National Grid. The discount appears as a credit on the household's utility bill.

For households that have both a Con Edison and National Grid account at the same address, the EEAP application covers both accounts.

Enrollment into Budget Billing

Households enrolled in EAP may also be enrolled in budget billing by their utility company.

Budget billing spreads energy costs more evenly throughout the year by averaging bills over time, which can help avoid higher bills during months with increased energy usage.

Budget billing does not increase the EAP discount and is separate from EAP eligibility.

Households that do not want budget billing should contact their utility company to discuss available options. More details can be found at https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program.  

Energy Affordability Program (EAP) Expansion

In January 2026, New York launched the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), a two-year pilot that expanded access to EAP by allowing households to qualify based on income. Through EEAP, some households can qualify for the same EAP discount, even if they do not participate in a qualifying benefit program.

Coordination of Benefits

Receiving EAP does not reduce or replace other public benefits. A household may receive EAP in addition to other assistance programs, including HEAP.

Households that receive electric and gas services from different utility providers may receive an EAP discount from each participating utility. For example, a NYC household may receive an EAP discount from Con Edison for electric service and National Grid for gas service.

Qualifying for EAP

Utility Account Rules

Households must have an active residential electric or natural gas account with a participating New York utility provider. Households may not be eligible if they are already receiving another utility bill discount. Rules can vary by utility provider.

Renters may apply if someone in the household is named on the utility account. Households cannot apply if the utility account is solely in the landlord's or management company's name.

Automatic Eligibility/Categorically Eligible

A household is categorically eligible for EAP when at least one household member participates in a qualifying benefit program. However, categorical eligibility does not always result in automatic enrollment.

Qualifying benefit programs include:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

• Lifeline Telephone Service Program

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Medicaid

• Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Federal Public Housing Assistance

• Utility Guarantee / Direct Vendor programs

• Cash Assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance)

 Additional Programs for Tribal Lands

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

• Head Start

• Tribal TANF

• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Some households must notify their utility company and provide proof of benefit enrollment.

Citizenship/Immigration Requirements

EAP does not have a separate citizenship or immigration requirement. However, each qualifying benefit program may have its own citizenship or immigration rules. A household that does not qualify through a benefit program may still qualify for EAP under the EEAP income guidelines; see income guidelines below.

Assets/Resources

There is no separate resource requirement for EAP.

Income Eligibility via EEAP ONLY

Through EEAP, some households can qualify for the same EAP discount under expanded income guidelines, even if they do not participate in a qualifying benefit program.  This began January 2026 and is a two-year pilot expanding access to EAP.

Thresholds are based on 100% of the State Median Income (area median income in certain utility territories)

Households may qualify based on income alone and are not required to receive a qualifying benefit.

Application for EAP

Automatic Enrollment in EAP

Households will be automatically enrolled in the EAP with the utility company if they are in receipt of:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

• Cash Assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance)

• Direct Vendor or Utility Guarantee

In NYC, Human Resources Administration (HRA) notifies the utility company of eligible households. Because automatic enrollment may not always occur, clients should check their utility bill or contact their utility company to confirm they are enrolled.

No Automatic Enrollment In EAP

While these household meet the eligibility criteria, they will need to notify the utility provider and inform them that they are in receipt of benefits. That is because the administering agencies of the programs do not have permission to share data with utility companies; therefore, households in receipt of the following benefits will need to connect their utility provider:

• Medicaid

• Federal Public Housing Assistance (such as NYCHA public housing, Section 8, and other federally subsidized housing programs)

• Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension

• Lifeline Telephone Service Program (Lifeline)

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – NYC SNAP, Westchester SNAP

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Enrolling Under EEAP

Application

For households that are eligible under the expanded income guidelines, there is an application that must be completed. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or by fax.

Online: nyeeap.com.

Mail & Fax: Download an application:

• English Application Package

• Spanish Application Package

• Portuguese Application Package

Completed applications can be mailed to:

CLEAResult - NY EEAP

16350 Felton Rd.

Lansing, MI 48906

Fax: Send via fax to 517-580-5123

Documentation

Applicants must provide documentation for all sources of household income. Documentation should generally cover at least one month (28 consecutive days) and must be provided for each source of income.

Customer Service

For phone-assisted applications or general program questions, call 877-400-2501 or email nyeeap@clearesult.com. The email address is for general questions only. Do not send sensitive or personal documentation via email.

Processing Time

Allow up to five business days from receipt of the application materials for review. Applicants will be contacted if additional information is needed or once a decision has been made.

Once approved, the EEAP discount should appear within the next two billing cycles.

Recertifying for EAP

Recertification requirements vary by utility provider and eligibility pathway.

Households receiving EAP through a qualifying benefit program may be recertified automatically.

Households qualifying through EEAP or a direct application may need to provide updated information when requested by the utility company. Failure to respond to recertification requests could result in the loss of the discount.