
Approximately three million New Yorkers have received energy rebate checks of up to $200 so far, and another 5.2 million checks will be sent in the coming weeks, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. The money is from a one-time $1 billion Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) initiative that's part of the 2026-2027 state budget. Hochul says the money will help provide relief from federal tariffs and the war in Iran, which have increased the cost of living across the board and caused prices at the pump to rise. POWER checks provide $200 to joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 to joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000. Single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100. The checks began being mailed on September 21st and will continue through December.