New York is mailing energy rebate checks of up to $200

New York is mailing a one-time check to help with rising electric and heating bills. Joint filers and qualifying surviving spouses get $200 if their 2024 New York adjusted gross income was $150,000 or less, or $150 if it was up to $300,000. People who filed as single, head of household, or married separately get $100 if it was $150,000 or less. The state says it will send 8.2 million checks totaling about $1 billion.

You don’t need to apply or show a utility bill. You qualify if you were a full-year New York resident in 2024, filed your 2024 state return on time (an extension counts), stayed under the income limits, and weren’t claimed as someone else’s dependent. The check arrives by mail at the latest address the tax department has for you, even if your refund came by direct deposit. Mailing started September 21, 2026 and runs through December.

The Assembly first proposed POWER checks in its March budget plan: $500 for households below $150,000 and $300 for those between $150,000 and $300,000. Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett pushed to keep them in the final budget, which reduced the payments. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the budget May 28.

The checks are advance personal income tax refunds. The state comptroller reported that the budget increased total spending 7%, including increases for Medicaid, school aid and childcare, and used $1.3 billion in General Fund balance to help balance the year.