New York rebate checks worth up to $200 will begin arriving in mailboxes this month as the state starts distributing $1 billion in one-time payments intended to help households offset higher energy costs.
The Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate, or POWER, program is expected to reach millions of New Yorkers, with checks scheduled to be mailed between September and December. Eligible residents don’t have to apply, but the amount they’ll receive depends on income and tax filing status.
The program was approved as part of New York’s 2026-27 state budget. State officials said the payments will be issued automatically using information from residents’ 2024 income tax returns.
Here’s what to know about the New York rebate checks, including how much they’re worth, who qualifies and when they could arrive.
How much are the New York rebate checks?
POWER rebate checks range from $100 to $200.
Married couples filing jointly with income under $150,000 will receive a $200 check.
Married couples filing jointly with income between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150.
Single filers with income under $150,000 will receive $100.
The POWER payments are one-time rebates and aren’t a recurring state benefit.
Who qualifies for a New York rebate check?
Eligibility is tied to a resident’s 2024 New York state income tax return.
To qualify, a taxpayer must have filed a timely New York state resident income tax return for the 2024 tax year, been a full-year New York resident and reported income within the program’s qualifying limits.
Recipients also can’t have been claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.
The state will use those tax records to determine eligibility automatically.
Do New Yorkers have to apply for the rebate checks?
No application is required.
Eligible New Yorkers will automatically receive their POWER checks in the mail. Residents don’t need to register for the program, complete a separate form or contact their utility company to qualify.
That also means New Yorkers should be wary of messages claiming they must submit an application or pay a fee to receive the rebate.
When will New York rebate checks be mailed?
The state plans to mail POWER rebate checks from September through December 2026.
Checks won’t necessarily arrive at the same time across New York. The distribution will take place over several months, and state officials haven’t provided specific mailing dates for individual recipients.
Someone who qualifies but doesn’t receive a check early in the process shouldn’t necessarily assume they’ve been excluded from the program.
Why is New York sending the rebate checks?
The POWER program was included in the state budget as part of a broader package aimed at addressing rising household energy expenses.
The state set aside $1 billion for the one-time rebate checks. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration has said the payments are intended to provide direct relief as New Yorkers contend with higher electricity, natural gas and other energy costs.
The program provides the largest payment — $200 — to joint filers earning less than $150,000, while higher-income joint filers within the qualifying range receive $150 and eligible single filers receive $100.
Are POWER checks the same as STAR checks?
No.
The POWER rebate is separate from New York’s STAR program, which provides property tax relief to eligible homeowners.
That distinction could create some confusion this fall because STAR credits and other state payments may also be distributed during the same general period.
Receiving a STAR benefit doesn’t replace a POWER rebate or automatically determine whether someone qualifies for one. Eligibility for the energy rebate is based on the separate POWER program requirements and a taxpayer’s 2024 state income tax return.
What should New Yorkers do now?
For most eligible residents, there’s nothing to do beyond watching the mail.
New Yorkers who filed a qualifying 2024 resident income tax return and meet the program requirements will be considered automatically. Checks will continue going out through December, so residents shouldn’t expect every payment to arrive at the beginning of September.
Eligible households can expect $100, $150 or $200 depending on their filing status and income.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.