Help With Your Bill
We strive to provide you with reliable and essential energy delivery
Our work doesn’t stop there. We also have many services designed to meet the variety of needs for you and your family.
We're here to help
Understanding your energy use can help put you in control of your monthly bills. You can use these tips to reduce your energy use while maintaining your comfort. Budget Billing can also help balance seasonal energy costs over the year.
New York State Energy Bill Credit - The New York State budget included $200 million for bill credits to utility customers in the state to support energy affordability. These one-time credits are expected in the next few months and will be applied to both residential and business customer active accounts automatically. After your one-time bill credit is applied, you will see a bill message and your one-time credit listed as NYS Energy Bill Credit on your bill.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program - New York has $2.7 billion in rent relief funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters maintain housing stability. ERAP applications will no longer be accepted by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance after January 20, 2023. Visit otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/ to learn more. If you have been approved for a benefit and have questions on the benefit amount applied to your account, please call 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368).
Life Support Users
We want to know you are safe. We offer special, personalized benefits and services for customers with life-sustaining equipment.
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Notification of planned outages - before any planned outage, we will specifically tag your meter and code your account. This allows us to notify you before any planned electrical outage so you can make alternate arrangements.
For unplanned electrical outages such as during a storm, we will make every effort to restore service to you as soon as possible. We recommend that you have plans for providing your own backup or relocate in emergency situations. We’ll also keep you updated on power restoration efforts if the duration of an outage extends beyond 24 hours.
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Critical Contact - our enhanced texting service provides you with a convenient and easy way to communicate with us during a storm. This opportunity allows us to text you in preparation for a storm and to make sure you are safe. Please ensure we have your mobile phone number on file so we can reach you. Please provide us your mobile phone number by calling 866.717.2307 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email us at Criticalcontact@nyseg.com.
To stay informed on storm status, restoration times and to report an outage by text, we also encourage you to sign up for Outage Alerts.
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Assistance with bills during financial hardships - if you or a member of your household relies on life sustaining equipment, please let us know. If you need electrical service to operate life support equipment, we require the following:
- Documentation showing that you are not financially able to pay your bill (we will then request a medical certificate from your physician).
- Notification every three months that you are unable to pay and your continuing need to operate life-sustaining equipment.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Regular HEAP is now closed. Emergency HEAP, including a second emergency benefit, are available through August 30 or until funds are exhausted.
HEAP is a federal grant program that helps eligible households pay for energy costs and weatherization. Income eligible customers may receive one regular HEAP benefit per season. Contact your county's department of social services for more information.
In addition to regular HEAP, you may also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits. The number of emergency benefits varies per season depending on the availability of funds.
Funding is limited
HEAP funding is limited so it is important to apply early. If you receive certain Social Security benefits or if you are 60 years of age or older, call your local Office for the Aging and an application may be mailed to you.
Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP is designed to help eligible customers gain control of their energy bills through monthly bill credits.
EAP bill credits are available automatically to any customer who receives a HEAP benefit. No application is needed. We've also expanded eligibility for EAP. If you receive a HEAP benefit for an alternate fuel source or receive other assistance, you may be eligible. EAP bill credits will continue each year as long as a HEAP benefit is applied to your account or you submit the necessary documentation to qualify.
Project SHARE Heating Fund
The Project SHARE Heating Fund is currently open
Our Project SHARE Heating Fund is designed to help income-eligible customers with energy emergencies. Active duty military personnel and well-discharged veterans with an active disconnect notice may qualify regardless of income.
To receive a Project SHARE Heating Fund grant, you must have an active account with us, have active disconnect notice, meet the current HEAP income guidelines and exhausted all other assistance.
Third Party Notification
Our Friendly Reminder Third Party Notification service offers you extra peace of mind. A friend, agency or organization you designate will receive a copy of any important notices we may send to you. Interested? Print, complete and send us this Third Party Notification Service form.
Hearing and Speech Impairment Assistance
If you use a telephone (TTY) device in your home, just dial 711 and ask the New York Relay Service operator to contact us at 800.572.1111 .
Interpreter Service
For customers who prefer to speak a language other than English, we offer interpreter services when you call.
One Less Worry
With one call you can place your bill on hold for 30 days should you or a household member be hospitalized.
Sight Saver Billing
Your bill and our EnergyLines newsletter are available in large print at no charge.
Payment Arrangements
If you are having trouble managing your monthly bills, we can help. We now offer online payment arrangements to eligible customers. Simply log in to My Account to see if you have an available payment plan offer for your account and enroll online.
Don't see an online payment agreement? You may still qualify for a payment plan for assistance to bring your account up to date. Contact us at 888.315.1755 and we'll work with you to review available options. We will consider your individual needs and income limitations when working out a down payment and a payment schedule. A down payment may not be necessary and we'll look at options that help you stay current with your bill while you pay toward your past-due amount. If you are unable to make a payment agreement with us because you do not have the ability to pay, we will refer you to an agency that may be able to assist you.
Customer Advocates
We are here to help our customers with medical and financial needs through our customer advocate service. If you are having trouble paying your bills or have a medical need that depends on electricity, please contact us.
If you are interested in learning more or enrolling in any of these free services, please contact us or call us at 800.572.1111.
Do you know about 2-1-1 New York?
2-1-1 New York can connect you to services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including holidays. Agents can link you to information and services you need. The call is free and confidential.
Learn more about 2-1-1 New York, including if this service is available in your area, by visiting 211nys.org.
We are here to help
The last thing we want to do is shut off your electricity and natural gas service for nonpayment. If you are having difficulty paying your bill, please call us at 888.315.1755 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., excluding holidays). The sooner you call, the sooner we can work together on a solution. Here are a few of the services we have to assist you.
Our Services:
- Energy Assistance Program
- Project SHARE Heating Fund
- Payment and billing options (online billing, credit card, electronic funds transfer, etc.)
- Budget Billing
- Extreme weather and protections
Helpful Information:
- We are Here to Help You Fact Sheet
- Budget Billing Fact Sheet
- Understand and Manage Your Monthly Energy Bill Fact Sheet
Other Assistance:
- Home Equipment Repair Replacement Program opened October 1, 2020
- Heat Smart New York
- New York State Research and Development Authority