Electric & Gas Bill Relief Program
Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial hardship for residents and businesses, in 2022 the Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program was approved by the New York State Public Service Commission and implemented by utilities throughout New York. Phase 1 of the program reduced past-due account balances for income-eligible customers through a one-time bill credit.
In January 2023, the New York State Public Service Commission approved additional relief for customers who did not previously receive a bill relief credit. Qualifying residential and small business customers are eligible to have any remaining past-due balance from bills for service through May 1, 2022, reduced through a bill credit.
This is the final phase of this program.
Who Qualifies for this Credit
To qualify for a bill credit in 2023, you must have a remaining past-due balance from bills for service through May 1, 2022, AND:
- Be a residential customer who did not previously receive a bill relief credit.
OR - Be a small business customer who did not exceed a combined average monthly billed demand of 20 kw during the previous 12 months, or who did not register any single demand in excess of 40 kw and used less than or equal to 750 dekatherms (dth) per year of gas.
Maximum Credit Amounts & Eligibility
| Customer Type | For Charges BEFORE May 1, 2022 | For Charges AFTER May 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Income Residential | Full relief of pre-May 1, 2022 debt was applied to these accounts in Phase 1 of this program. |
$0 |
| All Other Residential | Up to $2,000 | $0 |
| Small Business* | Up to $1,250 | $0 |
| Large Commercial & Industrial | $0 | $0 |
* Small business customers eligible are those who did not exceed a combined average monthly billed demand of 20 kw during the previous 12 months, or who did not register any single demand in excess of 40 kw and used less than or equal to 750 dekatherms (dth) per year of gas.
How Is the Credit Applied
If you meet the above criteria, your bill credit will be processed automatically, and you do not need to take any action. You will be notified once the bill credit is applied on your bill. In addition, residential customers will not have their service suspended for non-payment until March 1, 2023, or 30 days after credits are applied, whichever is later.
Important Information
- If you were enrolled in the bill discount program or Energy Affordability Program by Dec. 31, 2022, or have received benefits under New York State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) or the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) in the prior heating season and previously received a bill relief credit, you will not receive an additional credit in 2023.
- All customers are responsible for remaining balances, including bills for services after May 1, 2022.
Program FAQs
What is the Utility Bill Relief that was recently announced?
The Public Service Commission recently approved this program and directed Central Hudson to provide a one-time credit of up to $2,000 for all non-low-income residential customers and up to $1,250 for small commercial customers in for past due balances through the period of May 1, 2022. This program was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and each of the major New York State utilities are implementing this program, though maximum credits may vary by utility.
How do I know if I qualify?
To qualify for a bill credit in 2023, a customer must have a past due balance from bills for service prior to May 1, 2022 AND:
- Be a residential customer who did not previously receive a bill relief credit. (Phase 1 of the Bill Relief Program provided bill credits to low-income customers)
OR - Be a small business customer who did not exceed a combined average monthly billed demand of 20 kw during the previous 12 months, or who did not register and single demand in excess of 40 kw and used less than or equal to 750 dekatherms (dth) per year of gas.
What do I have to do to get my credit?
Nothing. Customers who meet the qualifying criteria will have their bill credit processed automatically. Customers will be notified once the credit is applied to their bill.
All customers are responsible for remaining balances, including bills for services after May 1, 2022. Central Hudson offers a host of assistance programs and billing options to assist customers with managing any remaining past due balances.
Who is paying for this bill credit?
This program will be funded through a surcharge placed on all customer bills that will result in an estimated total bill increases of 0.4% for residential electric customers and 0.38% for residential natural gas customers. Small commercial electric customers will see an estimated total bill increase of 0.59%. Central Hudson’s shareholders are also contributing to this program to benefit customers. In our service area, shareholders and other non-ratepayer funded balances have contributed approximately $11.6 million toward funding phase 1 and phase 2 of the bill relief program.
I paid my bill throughout the pandemic, why am I being forced to pay more without receiving a credit?
This program is a response to the economic impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. During the economic shutdown, many customers experienced unprecedented economic hardship, causing utility debts to rise to historic levels. A screening exercise was conducted to establish that most customers with this much utility debt have a financial need. The overall cost of this plan state-wide is significantly less than taking no immediate action. The goal is to help these customers better manage their accounts and have them resume regular, monthly payments as the economic recovery continues.
Why did Central Hudson approve this surcharge?
The surcharge on your bill was approved by the New York State Public Service Commission, the agency that oversees New York’s utility companies. Each of the major New York State utilities are implementing this program for their customers.
The proposal for this plan was created by a working group that included Department of Public Service Staff, New York’s major utility companies and customer advocacy groups like the Public Utility Law Project, Citizens for Local Power, AARP New York and the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
How long will I pay this surcharge?
We expect the bill relief surcharge to remain on Central Hudson bills for approximately seven years.