Con Edison Expands Bill Relief as Summer Heat Strains Household Budgets

As New York City faces some of its most intense heat in over a decade, Con Edison is urging residents to explore new financial relief options. The utility company recently launched the Enhanced Energy Assistance Program (EEAP), an initiative designed to assist income-qualified households across the state with their monthly energy expenses.

According to the company, more than 20,000 customers have already applied for the program. Participants have reportedly seen monthly savings of at least $168, with discount levels adjusted based on household size and income. The program is structured to ensure that energy costs do not exceed six percent of a household's area median income. Once approved, customers remain enrolled in the EEAP for an 18-month period.

To qualify, applicants must provide documentation of their income, such as pension statements, Social Security records, or recent paystubs. Michael Murphy, Con Edison’s vice president of customer operations, noted in a press release that the company recognizes the broader economic pressures facing residents, including rising costs for rent, groceries, and healthcare.

This rollout arrives as the city grapples with triple-digit temperatures that have strained local infrastructure. Earlier in July, heat-related equipment failures forced the utility to temporarily disconnect power for nearly 10,000 customers in southwest Queens. The company has since requested that residents in parts of Brooklyn and Queens practice energy conservation to help stabilize the grid during periods of peak demand.

Increased reliance on air conditioning during these heatwaves often leads to higher supply costs, which can inflate monthly bills. In addition to the new EEAP, Con Edison continues to operate its standard Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Since 2024, that program has provided over $500 million in discounts to eligible customers, including those receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or federal public housing assistance.

While some customers may be automatically enrolled in the standard EAP, others—including those receiving Veterans Disability or Supplemental Security Income—must submit an application to receive benefits. Con Edison encourages any customers struggling with their utility payments to contact the company directly to discuss available billing options and energy-saving tools.