ALBANY, N.Y. — More than 8 million New York households will begin receiving energy rebate checks of up to $200 later this month as part of a new state program aimed at offsetting rising household costs.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that checks through the state’s Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate, or POWER, program will begin going out September 21 and continue through December.

Eligible New Yorkers do not need to apply or sign up to receive a payment. The checks will be mailed automatically based on information from 2024 state income tax returns.

The $1 billion program was included in New York’s FY 2027 state budget.

Payment amounts will depend on income and filing status:

• Married couples filing jointly with incomes below $150,000 will receive $200.
• Joint filers earning between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150.
• Single filers earning less than $150,000 will receive $100.

To qualify, residents must have filed a timely 2024 New York State resident income tax return, been a full-time New York resident, met the program’s income requirements and not have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

State officials say approximately 8.2 million households are expected to receive payments.

The Hochul administration said the program is intended to provide relief as New Yorkers face higher utility, fuel and other household costs.

The POWER rebates are part of a broader package of energy affordability measures approved in the state budget. Those measures include changes to how utility rate increases are reviewed, additional scrutiny of certain utility expenses and the creation of a state commission to examine the causes of rising utility bills.

Checks are expected to arrive at different times between September and December, meaning eligible residents may not receive their payments at the same time as neighbors or family members.