How the Bill Discount Program Works

Once a qualifying benefit is received, a monthly credit will be applied to that Central Hudson account for 12 consecutive months, provided the account remains open and active for the entire 12-month period. (If your account receives a HEAP credit, you will automatically be enrolled in our Bill Discount Program.) The amount of the bill discount credit is based on the service type and amount of HEAP benefit. Customers who self-enroll in this program are eligible for Tier 1 benefits.

Qualifying Benefits

Regular or Emergency HEAP; Lifeline; SNAP; Medicaid; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Federal Public Housing Assistance; Veteran Pension or Survivors Pension; and certain programs for Native Americans. PLEASE NOTE: Social Security income is not a valid benefit. 

Requirements to Self-Enroll

• The customer or a member of the customer’s household must provide documentation of proof of enrollment in (1) regular or emergency HEAP; (2) Lifeline; (3) SNAP; (4) Medicaid; (5) Supplemental Security Income (SSI); (6) Federal Public Housing Assistance; (7) Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension; or (8) certain programs for Native American
• Documentation must be in the customer’s name or the name of a member of the customer’s household and include the customer’s address. Documentation must include an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date that aligns with the benefit period.  Alternate fuel customers with HEAP can also provide a HEAP approval letter, mybenefits.com page or a statement from a fuel supplier showing a HEAP payment.

How to Apply

Click here to apply online.

If submitting a downloaded copy of the application, documentation can be emailed to CareUnit@cenhud.com, faxed to 845-486-5676 or mailed to 284 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Click here to download the application.

Budget Billing

The account will be automatically enrolled in Budget Billing.  Customers can opt out by speaking with a CSR; sending a request by email to CareUnit@cenhud.com, on the website at “Live My Account Web Chat” or the Contact Email; faxed to 845-486-5676; or mailed to 284 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

What is Budget Billing:

Budget Billing makes your energy bills more predictable. As a Budget Billing customer, you will be billed a fixed amount for 11 months of the year, based on your account history. The 12th bill is adjusted, up or down, to factor in the difference between your payments and your actual costs during the entire year.

Who is it for:

Our Budget Billing option is available to all residential customers.

How to apply:

Visit your Account Dashboard page and click the "Enroll in Budget Billing" block. Your monthly bill amount will be presented and you can choose whether to accept it and complete enrollment. 

What is a Deferred Payment Agreement: 

Deferred Payment Agreements allow customers to pay off a past-due account balance in monthly installments. Customers must also pay current and future bills in full and on time as part of this program.

How to apply: 

If you are unable to log in via the button above and complete the Deferred Payment Agreement self-service process online, you can instead submit a request for a Deferred Payment Agreement on this form. Requests submitted through this form will be reviewed and you will be contacted at a later date. 

Already have a Deferred Payment Agreement in place? 

If you already have a payment agreement in effect, visit your Deferred Payment Agreement details page or the letter you received for your payment installment schedule and additional details. That page is only available for accounts that already have a Deferred Payment Agreement.

Help lower the cost of your home’s energy bill

What is EmPower New York?

EmPower New York provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to income-eligible Central Hudson customers. Whether you own your home or rent, you may choose a participating provider or one will be assigned to you to provide tips on saving energy and to assess  whether  your home may benefit from free energy upgrades such as:

• Home energy assessment to identify areas of possible energy improvements.
• Installation of high-efficiency lighting
• Installation of attic and wall insulation
• Replacement of old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers
• Installation of water-saving showerheads

Customers who sign up for EmPower New York also qualify for a monthly electric bill credit of between $5-$15 from community solar.

What to expect?

Find information on what to expect here. 

Who is eligible?

Central Hudson customers who live in a home with 4 units or less, and who have a household income below 60% of state median (i.e.  HEAP eligible) may be eligible for the program.

Find out if you are income-eligible here.

Who does the work at your home?

The contractor providing your energy assessment and making the upgrades is accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national organization that sets the technical standards for contractors in energy efficient building performance.

Find the participating certified contractor list here. 

How can you apply?

• Create an online application account: Portal Registration [portal.nyserda.ny.gov]
• Print and mail in a paper application, to: EmPower New York, 2 Wall Street,  Albany, NY 12205

Need help?

Call 877-697-6278; or email: info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

How it works: The Extra Security Plan offers an extended billing due-date for customers on a fixed income and customers who receive Social Security income, disability benefits or survivor benefits as their only source of household income. The billing due date for Extra Security Plan customers is extended to the 6th of the month following the normal bill due date.

Who it's for: Customers on a fixed income and customers who receive Social Security income, disability benefits or survivor benefits as their only source of household income.

Requirements: To participate in this program you must:

• Be on a fixed income such as SSI, SSD, survivor benefits or a pension (proof of benefit required) as your only source of household income.
• Be current with your Central Hudson account OR have an active Deferred Payment Agreement for any outstanding past-due balance.
• The address listed on the application must be your primary residence.

How to apply: Submit the ESP Enrollment Application

How it works: You may purchase a gift certificate in any dollar amount for any Central Hudson customer. When you make the purchase, you may choose to remain anonymous, or we will prepare an announcement card, which will be mailed to the recipient of your gift. 

Who it's for: Gift certificates are not just for the holidays but are the perfect, practical gift for any friend, relative or loved one on any occasion.

How to purchase a gift certificate: Contact us or complete this form and send with a check or money order payable to Central Hudson to:

Central Hudson Gas & Electric
Attn: Consumer Outreach Dept.
284 South Ave.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

How the Good Neighbor Fund Works

Since 1986, the Good Neighbor Fund has helped customers experiencing financial hardship and an energy emergency who have exhausted all other forms of payment assistance.  Eligible customers may receive a grant up to twice their monthly bill and not to exceed $325 based on energy service type and average monthly bill; and a new deferred payment agreement for the remaining balance.  This program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded by Central Hudson’s customers, employees and shareholders. 

Eligibility

• Customer must have a hardship, such as having received a Final Termination Notice, had services terminated for non-payment or denied new service due to a past due balance.
• Customer must apply for all forms of available assistance from the Department of Social Services, including HEAP.
• Customer must not have received three Good Neighbor Fund grants within the past five years. 

Special grant for Veterans and military families

Central Hudson has made a special $200 grant available to eligible Veterans and military families experiencing a financial hardship.  This grant is in addition to the Good Neighbor Fund.  For as long as funding remains available, eligible Veterans and military families may receive the Veteran grant two times per year. 

Eligibility for the Veteran and military family grant

• Active military personnel and honorably discharged Veterans with a hardship are eligible for this special grant. A hardship includes having received a Final Termination Notice, had services terminated for non-payment or been denied new service due to a past due balance.
• A spouse or partner may apply for the grant to be applied to the account of a Veteran or active military person.
• If the active military person or Veteran does not have an account with Central Hudson, but resides at a location served by Central Hudson and is considered part of that household, the account-holder may apply with proof of residency. 
• Grant recipients will be eligible for three regular Good Neighbor Fund grants within a five-year period, in addition to the special military family grant.

Grant recipients will receive a new deferred payment agreement, if needed, for the remaining account balance. 

How to apply

Contact a Central Hudson customer service representative to apply at (845) 452-2700 or, for calls from outside the 845-area code only, 1-800-527-2714.

How can I help my neighbors in need?

You can make a tax-deductible contribution by:

Adding a whole-dollar amount from $1 to $10 to the payment amount of your utility bill (see the pay stub section of your utility bill for further information), or, if paying online, follow the simple instructions on the screen.

Sending a check payable to "The Good Neighbor Fund" to:
Central Hudson
Consumer Outreach Department
284 South Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Cold Weather Protections

Central Hudson will refrain from scheduling residential service terminations on days when the local weather forecast predicts below-freezing (32 degrees) temperatures on any given day, or predicts "feels like" temperatures at or below freezing (32 degrees) for 2 or more consecutive days.

Extreme Heat Protections

Central Hudson will suspend electric residential service terminations if:

1. The heat index is forecasted by the National Weather Service to reach 93 degrees or higher, including on the calendar day before, in Central Hudson’s service territory;
   OR
2. The actual heat index reaches 93 degrees or higher on any given day.

Note: Central Hudson relies on DTN weather service forecasts to determine when cold and hot weather protections will go into effect.

Special Protections During a Hot or Cold Weather Emergency page with safety tips

How HEAP Works

HEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-eligible households pay for heating and cooling costs. HEAP also offers Emergency benefits, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefits and Clean and Tune benefits. Customers who are eligible for HEAP and other qualifying programs are also eligible for Central Hudson’s Low Income Bill Discount Program. If your account receives a HEAP credit, you will automatically be enrolled in our Bill Discount Program. 

Who It's For

HEAP is available to income-eligible residents. Eligibility guidelines and benefit amounts are available on our HEAP program page.

How to Apply

Customers can learn more about these benefits and apply for HEAP at MyBenefits.ny.gov or (800) 342-3009. 

How This Program Works

 Customers and household members who will be hospitalized for at least three days may request an extension on the due date of their utility bill of up to 30 days from the date of admission to the hospital. 

How to Apply

An application for the Help During Hospitalization Program is available at CenHud.com or by contacting a customer service representative.  The completed application, which requires a doctor’s signature, should be emailed to CareUnit@cenhud.com, faxed to 845-486-5676, or mailed to 284 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Attention Customer Outreach.

How the Life Support Equipment Program Works

The Life Support Equipment (LSE) Program provides customers or household members who require electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment and who obtain yearly certification from a doctor or local board of health the following benefits: a courtesy phone call when bad weather is expected that may cause power outages; daily monitoring throughout large storms when power is affected; and appropriate identification on the meter to ensure that utility services to customers who are unable to pay is not suspended or disconnected as long as the need for LSE continues. Central Hudson’s Powering Connections newsletter is sent twice annually. Also, at least twice a year an attempt is made to verify that the phone number on all LSE customer accounts is valid.  LSE customers are provided with a dedicated priority hotline number to contact the Company at any time: 800-655-9356.

Eligibility

This program is available to customers with a household member who requires electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment. Participation requires annual certification by a physician.

How to Apply

Complete this application form including physician's certification.  The completed application should be emailed to CareUnit@cenhud.com, faxed to 845-486-5676, or mailed to 284 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Attention Customer Outreach.

How the Medical Emergency Program Works

Central Hudson will not disconnect service and will restore service for 30 days when a medical emergency, as certified by a medical doctor or local board of health, exists.  The Medical Emergency Certification can be renewed if the customer’s inability to pay for utility services is demonstrated.  Contact a customer service representative for additional details.

How to Apply

To apply contact us during normal business hours: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If all members of your household are blind, disabled or age 62 years or older, please notify Central Hudson so that we may add a note to your account. This note will ensure you receive contact by phone or in person at least three days before service is turned off for nonpayment, in order to discuss a payment agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will notify the Department of Social Services and will continue your service for another 15 days. If service is turned off, we will attempt to contact you again in 10 days to offer you a payment plan to restore service.

If you are 62 years or older, and applying for a new service, Central Hudson will not ask for a deposit unless your service was turned off for non-payment within the last six months. Central Hudson offers billing and payment assistance that can help reduce the impact of higher costs associated with your energy bills. To learn more about these services, call  (845) 452-2700, or 800-527-2714, and press "0" (zero) to speak with a customer service representative.

Powering Connections (formerly The Senior Times)

Customers who are blind, disabled or age 62 or older receive the free four-color easy-to-read newsletter, Powering Connections, which provides information on senior services, assistance programs, community resources, recipes and more. 

Budget Billing

Budget Billing spreads your electric and natural gas bills evenly over 11 months. This avoids fluctuations in bill amounts, as payments will be uniform over 11 months based on your actual usage history. The bill for the 12th month will include an annual plus-or-minus adjustment to reflect the actual usage and price for the year.

Quarterly Billing

A quarterly payment plan is available if you are age 62 or older and your annual bill does not exceed $150.

More Assistance Programs

Find additional programs designed to help customers facing financial difficulties or hospital stays on the Assistance Programs page.

How it works: An occasion may arise when a customer is unable to respond to an important notice from Central Hudson about the status of their service or account. For such instances, we offer a voluntary program to ensure someone else – a willing "third party" – is informed of the situation. 

A customer may choose a relative, friend, clergy person, community or social service agency to receive Third Party Notifications, who will then help ensure that the customer is made aware of the situation. The Third Party is in no way responsible for paying the bill or any part of it.

Who it's for: Any customer who would benefit from having a third party receive important notifications about their Central Hudson account. This program is especially helpful to the ill, the elderly, or someone absent from home, to prevent unnecessary disconnection of services.

How to apply: Submit this application.