Central Hudson Gas & Electric offers assistance for low-income families

Central Hudson Gas & Electric is implementing a program to assist low-income families and individuals who experienced hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through its Electric & Gas Bill Relief Program, residential utility customers who receive government assistance for utility bills and other expenses and have past-due balances for service through May 1, 2022, will have those balances forgiven through a bill credit.

To qualify, customers must be enrolled in the utility bill discount program or Energy Affordability Program by Dec. 31 or have received benefits under New York State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) or the Home Energy Assistance Program – Regular Arrears Supplement in the prior heating season.

Qualified customers not currently enrolled in a bill discount or Energy Affordability program may do so by Dec. 31, 2022, to be eligible for the program. Qualifying governmental assistance programs include the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); Lifeline Telephone Service Program (Lifeline); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Medicaid; Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Federal Public Housing Assistance; Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (if living on tribal lands); and others for those living in tribal lands.

Funding for the program is provided by $250 million in state assistance, allocated proportionately to each New York utility based on balances due for income-qualified residential accounts and a temporary surcharge on utility bills. For Central Hudson customers, the surcharge is approximately one-half percent on utility bills for one year.