If you’ve been staring at a ConEd bill that keeps climbing and assuming you make too much money to qualify for help — 2026 might be the year that changed. Con Edison launched the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP) on January 13, 2026, specifically for customers who are above the traditional low-income cutoff but still feeling squeezed.

Here’s what it is, who qualifies, how much it’s worth, and exactly how to apply.

What the EEAP Actually Does

The traditional Energy Affordability Program (EAP) has existed at ConEd for years. It gives monthly bill discounts to customers who already receive a qualifying government benefit — SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, SSI, TANF, and several others. In 2025, the EAP paid out $244 million in discounts to roughly 530,000 ConEd customers, according to the utility’s February 2026 announcement.

The new EEAP fills the gap for everyone else. If you earn below the Area Median Income (AMI) for New York City or Westchester but you’re not currently on one of those qualifying government programs, you can now apply directly for a monthly bill credit.

According to Gothamist’s reporting, a single person using gas heat who earns under 60% of area median income — about $68,050 — can see monthly discounts above $135. For a household of four at that income tier, the cutoff is about $97,200.

Who Qualifies: The Four Boxes You Have to Check

To be eligible for the EEAP, per Con Edison’s official EEAP FAQ, you need to meet all four of these:

1. You’re a residential ConEd customer. The account must be in your name, for the home you live in.
2. You receive electric and/or gas service from Con Edison. ConEd’s service area covers New York City (except parts of Queens and the Rockaways served by National Grid) and Westchester County.
3. You’re not already enrolled in the existing EAP. If you’re getting the regular EAP discount, you’re covered — you don’t need EEAP.
4. Your household income is below the Area Median Income (AMI) for your household size. The AMI thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How Much You Can Save

Your monthly discount depends on three things: whether you heat with gas or electricity, how many people live in your household, and how far below AMI your income falls.

The deepest discounts — over $135 per month — go to households heating with gas whose incomes are under 60% of AMI. Smaller discounts apply as income climbs toward the AMI ceiling. Electric-heat customers and customers with just electric service (no gas) typically see somewhat smaller credits, but those can still run into the tens of dollars a month.

Once you’re approved, the discount stays on your account for 18 months before you need to re-verify, which is a much lighter lift than reapplying every year.

How to Apply: The Actual Steps

1. Go to the official application site: coned.nyeeap.com. Do not trust third-party sites that ask for money to process your application. The EEAP is free.
2. Have these documents ready before you start:
   • Your ConEd account number (top of your bill)
   • Proof of income for everyone in your household 18 or older — most recent pay stubs, 1099s, Social Security or SSI award letter, or the previous year’s tax return
   • A government-issued photo ID
   • Your address and the number of people living in the home
3. Complete the online form. It takes most households 15–25 minutes. You’ll upload income documentation directly.
4. Wait for a determination. Processing times vary, but the credit typically begins appearing on your bill within 1–2 billing cycles after approval.
5. Check your bill. The EEAP credit appears as a line item reducing your total due. If you expected a credit and don’t see one after two billing cycles, call ConEd customer service at 1-800-752-6633.

Don’t Stop at EEAP: Other Programs to Stack

If you qualify for EEAP, you may also qualify for other programs that work alongside it:

• HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): A federally funded program that pays a chunk of your heating bill directly to your utility once per heating season. Managed by the NYC Human Resources Administration for city residents. The regular HEAP benefit and emergency benefit both exist.
• Level billing: Not a discount, but it smooths your payments so summer AC months and winter heat months don’t create huge swings. Request it directly through your ConEd account.
• Payment agreements: If you’re already behind, ConEd can set up a deferred payment plan. Call before a shut-off notice arrives.
• Solar for All: A New York State program that gives income-eligible customers community solar credits on their bill with no upfront cost. Check through the NYSERDA Solar for All page.

The Catch: Very Few People Are Applying

The EEAP’s biggest problem right now, per Gothamist’s reporting, is that most eligible New Yorkers don’t know it exists. The rollout in January 2026 got limited press, and ConEd has relied largely on direct mail and bill inserts to spread the word — which means if you’ve been ignoring your bill stuffers (fair), you probably missed it.

If you’re close to the income line, apply anyway. The worst case is a denial letter. The best case is $135 a month back in your pocket for the next 18 months.

Action Steps

1. Check your last ConEd bill for your account number — you’ll need it to apply.
2. Estimate your household’s gross annual income. Include wages, self-employment, Social Security, pensions, and unemployment. If you’re under about $68,000 single or $97,000 for a family of four, you’re almost certainly in range for the largest credit tier.
3. Gather income documents in a single folder — pay stubs, Social Security letters, or last year’s tax return.
4. Apply online at coned.nyeeap.com. Budget 25 minutes.
5. While you’re at it, check HEAP eligibility through the NYC HRA HEAP page — it’s a separate program and you can receive both.

ConEd has said the EEAP is meant to be a durable expansion, not a short-term fix. The 18-month enrollment window means if you get approved this spring, your discount runs into late 2027. With rates continuing to rise under the utility’s 2026 rate plan, this is the kind of program worth applying to the same week you hear about it.

Sources: Con Edison EEAP announcement (February 25, 2026); Con Edison EEAP FAQ at coned.nyeeap.com; Gothamist EEAP coverage; NYC HRA HEAP page; NYSERDA Solar for All.

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