NEW YORK (WABC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a statewide enrollment drive Tuesday to encourage New Yorkers to sign up for a utility bill discount program that the state estimates could benefit 2.5 million eligible households.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the Lower East Side, Hochul highlighted the State’s Energy Affordability Program, which offers qualifying residents discounts of up to $500 annually on their utility bills.<\/p>\n
According to the governor, eligibility expanded earlier this year to include anyone earning below the state or area’s median income.<\/p>\n
For example, a household of three in New York City making less than $145,800 per year can enroll in the program.<\/p>\n
The enrollment push comes days after Hochul announced a separate rebate initiative<\/a> that would provide eligible households with one-time checks of up to $200. The rebates are part of a $1 billion energy relief effort as gas costs continue to rise.<\/p>\n “It’s just part of an ongoing continuous effort to help New Yorkers, realize that this is the best place to live and raise a family and have a business. But we also understand the enormous pressures that families and businesses are under, and we’re helping do whatever we can,” Hochul said.<\/p>\n Energy costs have become a central issue in Hochul’s reelection campaign.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, her Republican opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, held a separate news conference criticizing the governor’s efforts.<\/p>\n “Kathy Hochul thinks we’re stupid and we don’t know that she’s trying to buy votes because she knows that her utility bills have skyrocketed. Our utility rates are 70% higher…than the national average. And what is she giving us? Peanuts,” Blakeman said.<\/p>\n According to the state, one million New Yorkers have applied for the discount program so far. Residents can enroll through the program’s website at NY.gov\/EAP<\/a>.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * Download our connected TV app<\/a> <\/p>\n * More local news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n