New Yorkers, check the mailbox before checking the thermostat: energy rebate checks worth up to $200 are heading to millions of households this fall.
The new New York energy rebate, officially called the Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) Check, is part of a $1 billion program approved in the 2026–27 state budget. The state says approximately 8.2 million households will receive payments, with checks being mailed beginning September 21 and continuing through December.
And here’s the part New Yorkers will appreciate: you don’t have to apply. Eligible residents will receive the money automatically based on information from their 2024 New York State tax returns.
So, who qualifies for the $200 energy rebate?
To receive a check, you generally must have filed a timely 2024 New York State income tax return, been a full-time New York resident in 2024, not been claimed as someone else’s dependent, and meet the program’s income requirements.
The amount depends on your filing status and income:
- Married filing jointly: $200 if income was under $150,000
- Married filing jointly: $150 if income was $150,000 to $300,000
- Single filers: $100 if income was under $150,000
Despite the NYC-focused chatter surrounding the rebate, this is a New York State program, meaning eligible households across the state—not just New York City—can receive the payment.
So if you’re wondering whether that mysterious piece of mail coming later this month is junk, don’t toss it immediately.
It could be $200 from New York State.
And considering the price of basically everything in NYC right now, that’s enough to cover a few subway rides, a pizza—or approximately half a Manhattan cocktail.
