NEW YORK (PIX11) — Extra money is coming soon to the pockets of eligible New Yorkers.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that eligible New Yorkers will receive up to $200 through POWER checks, which are set to be mailed between September and December. These checks are aimed at helping New Yorkers deal with rising utility costs.
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“Governor Hochul has said repeatedly that utility rates are too high. The energy rebate checks that will go out beginning this fall are designed to provide some relief for overburdened ratepayers who are dealing with higher prices across the board thanks to dangerous policies coming out of Washington,” said Ken Lovett, Senior Communications Advisor in Energy and Environment for Gov. Hochul. The rebate checks are one part of the Governor’s plan to hold the line on utility costs, which includes her ratepayer protection plan that will remove hidden fees from bills, tie utility executive pay to affordability, and require energy companies, when requesting rate increases, to present a budget-constrained option that keeps their operating and capital costs below the rate of inflation.”
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for a rebate check if:
Filed a New York State resident Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2024
Were a full-time resident of New York State in 2024
Reported income within the program’s eligibility requirements
Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.
How much money can I expect?
New Yorkers can receive between $100 and $200, according to officials.
How much can I expect?
You can expect $200 for joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 for joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000. Single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100.
Do I have to spend POWER checks to help with utility costs?
No, you can spend this rebate check on a number of things, according to officials.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.