Owners & management · 10/15/2026
NY energy rebates: 3 million checks out, 5.2 million more in coming weeks
Gov. Kathy Hochul said 3 million New Yorkers have received one-time energy rebate checks of up to $200, with 5.2 million more to be mailed in the coming weeks. The checks come from the Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) program in the state budget. About 8.2 million residents are expected to be paid, with amounts based on filing status and income.
Reported by amNYRead the original ↗
What happened
Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Oct. 15, 2026 that 3 million New Yorkers have received state energy rebate checks worth up to $200, amNY reported. Another 5.2 million checks are expected to be mailed in the coming weeks.
The checks come from the one-time Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) program, which was included in the enacted state budget. amNY described it as a $1 billion state initiative meant to help residents with rising living costs, including higher utility bills. According to the governor's office, the program aims to help residents manage higher costs from federal tariffs and rising energy prices amid the war in Iran.
The state began mailing checks on Sept. 21, and distribution will continue through December. About 8.2 million New Yorkers are expected to receive payments. The amount depends on filing status and income. Joint filers earning less than $150,000 a year are eligible for $200. Joint filers earning between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150. Single filers earning less than $150,000 are eligible for $100.
Hochul blamed the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress for rising gas and utility costs. She also pointed to other state measures, including a ratepayer protection plan, more enrollment in utility bill discount programs, childcare access, an expanded child tax credit and middle-class tax cuts.
Key facts
- Program
- Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER), a one-time program in the enacted state budget
- Total cost
- $1 billion state initiative
- Checks delivered so far
- 3 million, as of Oct. 15, 2026
- Checks still to come
- About 5.2 million in the coming weeks
- Total expected recipients
- About 8.2 million New Yorkers
- Mailing dates
- Began Sept. 21; continues through December
- Amounts
- $200 for joint filers under $150,000; $150 for joint filers from $150,000 to $300,000; $100 for single filers under $150,000
- Announced by
- Gov. Kathy Hochul
What it means
Tenants and voucher holders
Tenants who meet the filing status and income rules may get a check of $100 to $200 by mail between now and December. Amounts are based on filing status and income, not on how much rent or utilities a household pays.
Landlords
Small landlords who are individual filers within the income limits may receive a rebate like any other resident. The material does not describe any change to rents, utility billing or landlord obligations.
Caseworkers
Clients may ask when their check is coming or why they have not received one. Mailing runs through December, so a missing check now does not necessarily mean a client is ineligible.
The highlights
- Joint filers under $150,000 get $200; those at $150,000 to $300,000 get $150.
- Single filers earning under $150,000 are eligible for $100.
- Mailing began Sept. 21 and runs through December under the $1 billion POWER program.
Why it matters
Many tenants and voucher holders may get a one-time check of $100 to $200 to help with utility bills before December.
What to do: Tell clients and tenants to watch the mail for rebate checks through December.
Not known yet
- How the state determines who receives a check, and whether people who did not file a state tax return are included
- What a person should do if they believe they are eligible but do not receive a check by the end of December
- Whether the rebate counts as income for public benefits, housing vouchers or rent calculations
- Whether single filers earning $150,000 or more receive any payment
Background
In New York City, some tenants pay their own electricity and gas bills, while in many buildings heat and hot water are included in the rent and paid by the owner. Rising energy prices can therefore affect tenants and owners in different ways depending on how a building is metered and how leases assign utility costs. State relief programs tied to tax filing generally go to individuals based on their own filing status and income, separate from any housing subsidy or lease arrangement.
Summary written by Bulwark from amNY’s reporting. The original story is at amny.com. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0