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Thursday, 16
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Submitted by the Office of Speaker Carl Heastie
Speaker Carl Heastie and energy committee Chair Didi Barrett announced the state fiscal year (SFY) 2026-27 enacted budget includes funding to provide relief to families struggling with rising utility rates through “Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) Checks.”
“At no fault of their own, New York ratepayers pay some of the highest utility rates in the country,” Heastie said. “At a time when so many are already burdened by the high costs of living, the Assembly majority is committed to putting money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers. The enacted budget will provide a one-time ‘POWER Check’ to ensure New Yorkers get the relief they need.”
“New Yorkers are struggling with rising utility costs, and need real relief now,” Barrett said. “These ‘POWER’ checks are a win-win for New York families – putting money back into people’s pockets and helping lower utility costs. I thank the speaker and my colleagues for their support of this and other critical energy affordability measures we included in this year’s budget.”
The “POWER Checks” will be sent out from September to December of this year and provide $1 billion in relief to 8.2 million New Yorkers. The checks will be available to full-time residents of New York and are based on 2024 tax returns as follows:
√ Joint filers with incomes below $150,000 will receive a check of $200;
√ Joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive a check of $150; and
√ Single filers with incomes below $150,000 will receive a check of $100.
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