Riley Launches Tool to Check Utility Aid Eligibility

Rep. Josh Riley's new online checker directs New York's 19th District residents to seven federal and state heating and utility assistance programs.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Utilities

Riley Launches Tool to Check Utility Aid Eligibility

Live Poll

Are your household's heating and energy bills getting harder to afford this winter?

Rep. Josh Riley has launched an online eligibility checker that asks a few short questions and directs residents to utility-bill assistance programs. The tool covers seven federal and state programs and is open to all residents of New York's 19th Congressional District.

Why it matters

Riley said heating bills are too high and winter is just starting, and that many eligible people never apply because government assistance is confusing. The tool is intended to help residents navigate available help before the heating season intensifies.

The checker covers seven programs (HEAP, Emergency HEAP, EAP, EEAP, EmPower+, HEAP Clean & Tune, and the Weatherization Assistance Program) and takes about one minute to complete. The source does not quantify how many eligible residents currently apply to these programs.

The players

Josh Riley

Josh Riley is the U.S. Representative for New York's 19th Congressional District, a Democrat who has introduced legislation on utility costs including the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act and the No Bonuses for Utility Executives Act.

NYSEG

New York State Electric & Gas is an investor-owned utility serving much of upstate New York, and its proposed rate increases have drawn opposition from Riley's office.

Central Hudson

Central Hudson Gas & Electric is an investor-owned utility serving the Hudson Valley region, and its proposed rate increases have drawn opposition from Riley's office.

The details

The checker is on Riley's website and asks a few short questions before directing residents to program information and application details. Residents needing application help can call Riley's office at 607-242-0200, and Riley's office has also opposed proposed rate increases in NYSEG and Central Hudson rate cases.

November 9, 2026: Riley announces the eligibility checker tool.
2026-27 HEAP season: The tool is available as the heating assistance season begins.

Market Landscape

The tool operates within the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which funds winter heating aid for eligible households and is administered alongside New York's state supplements. It extends access to existing programs rather than changing benefit levels, as the utilities it targets continue to pursue rate increases.

Residents can complete the questionnaire in about a minute to see which of the seven programs they may qualify for. Those who need help with an application can call Riley's office at 607-242-0200 before the 2026-27 HEAP season.

The takeaway

Many eligible households miss out on heating aid because the application process is hard to navigate, so checking eligibility early can make a real difference this winter. Residents who are unsure where to start can use the checker and then call for application help.