NYers Will See National Grid Rate Hike-There Is Some Help

Have you gotten a National Grid bill lately? It seems like every month, even if we are using less, our bill goes up. Is there any relief? Get ready, because rates are set to increase in September.

As National Grid customers prepare for higher gas and electric bills starting in September, there's some good news for households in the Capital Region. The state has expanded a utility bill assistance program to include many people across New York State who don't usually qualify for assistance.

The Energy Affordability Program is meant to keep your gas and electric costs from eating up more than six percent of your monthly income. In the past, only households earning less than about $48,000 were eligible for discounts. Now, that threshold has been raised to include homes making up to the state’s median income of $79,557.

According to The Times Union, depending on where your income falls, the discount could be $2, $6, or $13 off your monthly bill. Most people above the $48,000 mark will see the smaller discounts, while those already in the program will continue to receive the larger one.

It might not seem like much, but with National Grid’s proposed increase, which is about twenty-two dollars more a month for the average customer, every little bit helps.

The change could impact as many as 1.6 million households across the state and will cost utilities around $145 million. Still, advocates say it’s worth it.

Not only does it offer relief to people who have been struggling to keep up, but it also helps reduce the number of unpaid bills and service shutoffs, which can eventually lead to even higher rates for everyone.

For families that fall just outside of typical assistance programs, this expansion comes at the right time. Although many people in the Capital Region will still struggle to make those payments.