To ease the burden of rising electricity and energy costs, the New York State government has announced a new financial assistance program. As part of the state’s latest budget, $1 billion has been allocated to provide eligible residents with one-time rebate checks.
The payments will be distributed through the “Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate” (POWER) program and will be sent automatically by mail. State officials have confirmed that no application will be required.
The rebate amount will be based on income. Joint tax filers with an annual income below $150,000 will receive $200, while those earning between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150. Eligible single taxpayers will receive $100.
To qualify, residents must have filed a New York State income tax return for the 2024 tax year on time and must have been full-year New York residents during that year. They must also fall within the specified income limits and cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
According to state officials, the rebate checks will be distributed in phases between September and December 2026. The initiative is intended to help reduce the financial strain on households caused by high energy costs.
