New York lawmakers and advocates are proposing legislation for a “benefits matching” system to automatically enroll eligible households in utilities’ energy assistance programs. Data shows that 1.1 million households in the state are not receiving benefits despite being eligible, and 1.2 million households are behind on their utility bills, owing a combined $1.7 billion. The proposal aims to save low-income individuals money on utility bills by leveraging technology and shared data. New Yorkers who receive support under the federal Home Energy Assistance Program are automatically enrolled in their utility’s assistance program, but low-income utility customers not enrolled in the program must do so on their own.
As featured on Spectrum News, New York lawmakers and advocates for ratepayers are pushing for legislation that would create a system of “benefits matching” to connect households in the state with help paying their utility bills. The proposed legislation, supported by state Sen. Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, aims to automatically enroll eligible households in utilities’ energy assistance programs.
AARP New York and the Public Utility Law Project have highlighted data that shows 1.1 million households in the state are not receiving benefits to help with utility bill payments despite being eligible. In total, 1.2 million households are behind on their utility bills, owing a combined $1.7 billion.
The proposed legislation comes as households are struggling with the broader impact of rising inflation, affecting gas, groceries, and other necessities. Solages noted that “rising utility costs are creating hardship for families across our state.” She added, “Many of these same families receive public assistance but do not receive home energy assistance simply because they did not fill out additional paperwork. By leveraging technology and shared data, this bill will ensure that low-income individuals are automatically enrolled in HEAP, which will save countless New Yorkers money on utility bills.”
New Yorkers who receive support under the federal Home Energy Assistance Program are automatically enrolled in their utility’s assistance program. However, low-income utility customers not enrolled in the program must do so on their own. The proposed legislation seeks to address this by automatically enrolling eligible households in energy assistance programs.
AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel has called the proposed legislation a “straightforward fix that would help over a million low-income New York households pay their utility bills.” She added, “There’s really no good reason not to pass this bill, especially since New York City is already successfully conducting this sensible benefits matching. Ultimately, the State should apply this concept to more benefits programs. Enacting the Parker-Solages bill into law would be a great first step.”
The proposed legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including the Public Utility Law Project, which noted that “this bill would be a game-changer for low-income New Yorkers struggling to keep the lights on.” The organization added that “by automatically enrolling eligible households in energy assistance programs, this legislation would help ensure that New Yorkers have access to the vital utility services they need to stay safe and healthy.”
In the endgame, the proposed legislation seeks to address the issue of low-income households struggling to pay their utility bills by automatically enrolling eligible households in energy assistance programs. The legislation has garnered support from various organizations and advocates who believe that it would be a game-changer for low-income New Yorkers. If passed into law, the proposed legislation could help ensure that New Yorkers have access to the vital utility services they need to stay safe and healthy.
