Statewide Low Income Program (NYS Energy Affordability Program)
The Statewide Low Income Program (SLIP)/Energy Affordability Program (EAP) provides monthly bill discounts on gas delivery charges. The discount amount is based on the amount of the HEAP grant received. In addition, the account will be enrolled on the balanced billing program to help make winter bills more affordable.
Residential customers may be eligible to enroll in SLIP and receive a discount on their energy bills if they, or another person in their household, receives financial assistance from certain government or tribal programs.
Find your tier-based credit below, beginning on the next month’s gas bill*:
| Tier | SLIP Tier Description | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HEAP grant less than or equal to $400 | $1.92 |
| 2.1 | HEAP grant is equal to $435 | $1.92 |
| 2.2 | HEAP grant is equal to $461 | $21.73 |
| 3 | HEAP grant is equal to $496 | $34.70 |
| 4 | DSS Direct Voucher enrolled customers | $22.14 |
How do I know if I am already enrolled?
Check your bill statement (see image below), and if the Service Classification on the front of the bill says SLIP TIER you are already enrolled and don’t need to take further action.
Directive Regarding EAP Enrollment
All residential customers currently enrolled in utility Energy Affordability Programs (EAPs) are protected from disenrollment through November 30, 2026.
This pause is being implemented in response to the federal government shutdown, which delayed Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funding and disrupted the normal eligibility verification process.
Important Information for Energy Affordability Program (EAP) Participants
What this means for you:
- You will not lose your benefits. All customers currently enrolled in EAP are protected from being removed until November 30, 2026.
- If you were recently removed, you’ll be added back. Anyone who was taken out of the program on or after October 1, 2025, will be re-enrolled.
- You have more time to show eligibility. The period to prove eligibility through programs like HEAP has been extended from 15 months to 18 months.
- Your discounts continue. You’ll keep receiving monthly bill discounts and other supports, even if federal programs are delayed. This is especially important during the winter season when heating costs are highest.
What if I have not received a HEAP benefit?
Residential customers who have not received a HEAP payment within the last 15 months may be eligible to enroll in SLIP, also referred to as our Energy Affordability Program (EAP) if they, or another person in their household, receives financial assistance from certain government or tribal programs. This provides a $3.00 monthly bill discount on your gas delivery charges and the account will be enrolled on the balanced billing program.
Qualifying governmental assistance programs for utility bill discount or Energy Affordability Programs:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Lifeline Telephone Service Program (Lifeline)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (if living on tribal lands)
- Head Start (if living on tribal lands)
- Tribal TANF (if living on tribal lands)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (if living on tribal lands)
- Utility Guarantee / Direct Vendor programs
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Safety Net Assistance
To mail or fax Application please click here. To fill out the form and submit electronically, please log in to your National Fuel online account from the home page. Once logged in, the form is located under the link for ‘Forms & Document Upload’. If you do not have an online account, please click here to create an account.