New York Proposes Utility Rebate Checks of Up to $500

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New York state lawmakers are proposing a new program called the Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) that could send one-time rebate checks of up to $500 to help offset rising utility bills for millions of households across the state. The proposal is part of the state's 2026-27 budget plan and would target lower and middle-income families struggling with some of the highest energy costs in the country.

Why it matters

Utility bills have been soaring nationwide, but New Yorkers have been hit especially hard due to factors like increased electricity demand, aging infrastructure, and a colder-than-usual winter. The proposed rebate checks aim to provide immediate financial relief to struggling families while the state also explores longer-term solutions to the affordability crisis.

The details

Under the current POWER proposal, households earning under $150,000 could receive up to $500, while those earning between $150,000 and $300,000 could get up to $300. Lawmakers estimate the plan would send about $2.6 billion in relief to roughly 5.4 million New York households. The proposal also includes a two-year freeze on new electric and gas rate increases, as well as the creation of a commission to investigate rising utility prices and a new state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate.

• The proposal is part of the New York State Assembly's 2026-27 budget plan.
• If approved, the rebate checks could be sent out as early as late spring or early summer of 2026.

What’s next

The POWER rebate proposal still needs to be negotiated and approved as part of the final New York State budget, which is due by April 1, 2026. If included in the budget, the rebate checks could start going out to eligible households as early as late spring or early summer of 2026.