New York to Distribute Up to $200 Electricity Rebate Checks Starting Sept. 21

New York residents will begin receiving electricity bill rebate checks as early as September 21, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The rebates, part of the Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) program, were secured in the state budget and aim to provide financial relief to millions of households struggling with rising energy costs.

The distribution, which began in May, will continue through December. This timing coincides with the onset of winter months when heating costs typically increase.

The POWER program allocates $1 billion to assist eligible New Yorkers. The rebate amounts vary, ranging from $100 to $200, based on household income.

Single filers with an income under $150,000 will receive a $100 rebate. Joint filers earning between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150. The highest rebate amount, $200, will be provided to joint filers with incomes below $150,000.

To qualify for a rebate, residents must have filed a timely New York State Resident Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2024, been a full-time resident of New York State during that tax year, reported income within the specified thresholds, and not been claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return.

"Too many families are struggling with rising household energy bills and soaring gas prices at the pump — and that’s why we’re putting money directly back in New Yorkers’ pockets by sending energy rebate checks to millions of families as part of our affordability agenda," Governor Hochul stated.

Residential electricity prices in New York have seen a significant increase in recent years. A recent report indicated that New Yorkers face the third-highest residential electricity costs in the U.S., following Hawaii and California. In May, the state's electricity prices were 29.93 cents per kilowatt-hour, approximately 62% higher than the national average. These prices rose 12% from the previous year, double the rate of the U.S. average increase. Factors contributing to these rising costs include upgrades to the electrical grid, increased demand from data centers, and higher rates.