New York State Public Service Commission
HEFPA Medical-Emergency Utility Protections · About this organization
What you get
Help with continued residential electric service, continued residential gas service and continued residential steam service.
How to start
Your doctor sends the referral. Have proof of income ready.
Good to know
- A clinician must certify that loss of utility service would aggravate a medical emergency.
- Initial protection is 30 days; renewal and longer chronic or life-support protection require additional documentation.
The details, as published
New York’s Home Energy Fair Practices Act medical-emergency rule can prevent a residential gas, electric, or steam shutoff when a physician or local board of health certifies that loss of service would aggravate a medical emergency. The initial protection lasts 30 days and may be renewed with medical-duration information plus proof that the customer cannot pay; chronic conditions and life-support equipment have additional continuation rules. The customer first notifies the utility, follows with written medical certification within five business days, and can contact the Public Service Commission emergency hotline if help is needed.
What help you may get
Household Bills And Cash Assistance
HEFPA Medical-Emergency Utility Protections — household bills and cash assistance
New York’s Home Energy Fair Practices Act medical-emergency rule can prevent a residential gas, electric, or steam shutoff when a physician or local board of health certifies that loss of service would aggravate a medical emergency. The initial protection lasts 30 days and may be renewed with medical-duration information plus proof that the customer cannot pay; chronic conditions and life-support equipment have additional continuation rules. The customer first notifies the utility, follows with written medical certification within five business days, and can contact the Public Service Commission emergency hotline if help is needed.
Noncash help
Can cover
- Continued residential electric service
- Continued residential gas service
- Continued residential steam service
Does not cover
- Forgiveness of the outstanding utility balance
- This is shutoff protection, not a cash award or debt forgiveness.
- Initial protection is 30 days; renewal and longer chronic or life-support protection require additional documentation.
Navigation Guides And Advocacy
HEFPA Medical-Emergency Utility Protections — navigation guides and advocacy
New York’s Home Energy Fair Practices Act medical-emergency rule can prevent a residential gas, electric, or steam shutoff when a physician or local board of health certifies that loss of service would aggravate a medical emergency. The initial protection lasts 30 days and may be renewed with medical-duration information plus proof that the customer cannot pay; chronic conditions and life-support equipment have additional continuation rules. The customer first notifies the utility, follows with written medical certification within five business days, and can contact the Public Service Commission emergency hotline if help is needed.
Noncash help
Can cover
- Continued residential electric service
- Continued residential gas service
- Continued residential steam service
Does not cover
- Forgiveness of the outstanding utility balance
- This is shutoff protection, not a cash award or debt forgiveness.
- Initial protection is 30 days; renewal and longer chronic or life-support protection require additional documentation.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. The published program serves children with cancer or a broader medical category that includes pediatric B-ALL.
Age
The program does not publish an age limit.
- The protection applies to a residential household member without a separate age rule.
Treatment status
No specific treatment status is published.
- A provider must verify the patient or diagnosis.
- A physician or local board of health must provide the medical certification.
Financial need is required.
- Renewal requires the customer to demonstrate inability to pay; no statewide numerical income ceiling is published.
- The balance is not forgiven and the household must make a reasonable payment effort.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
You must live in: NY.
- The household must be a residential customer of a New York gas, electric, or steam utility subject to HEFPA.
Where your child is treated
No treatment-location restriction is published.
How to get started
Set up the ask for my care team
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? Yes. Ask your child’s social worker or care team to begin the request.
Who can start: Physician, Healthcare Team
- For renewal, provide the expected duration, how loss of service would aggravate the condition, and evidence of inability to pay.
- Make a reasonable payment effort and update required information for chronic or life-support protection.
- Notify the utility of the medical emergency, initially by phone if needed.
- Within five business days, send written certification from the doctor or local board of health.
Ways to apply or ask
- Phone · Open form or page · 1-800-342-3355 — Contact the utility first; use DPS emergency hotline if an imminent shutoff is unresolved.
Documents to prepare
- Expected duration and aggravation statement for renewal
- Financial information showing inability to pay for renewal
- Written medical-emergency certification
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Open |
| Funding or space | Not Published |
| Application window | Rolling |
| Last checked | Aug 24, 2026 |
- The state currently publishes the HEFPA medical-emergency protection process.
- Protection can be requested when shutoff or loss of service threatens the medical emergency.
- Initial notice may be by phone, followed by written certification within five business days.
Limitations and things to confirm
- A clinician must certify that loss of utility service would aggravate a medical emergency.
- Renewal requires financial and updated medical information plus a reasonable payment effort.
- The rule prevents shutoff but does not erase the balance.
- What form and evidence does the household’s utility require?
- What payment amount will the utility consider a reasonable effort?
- Will the case receive 30-day, chronic-condition, or life-support protection?
- Will the treating clinician certify that loss of utility service would aggravate this child’s medical emergency?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Medical Emergencies and Utility Service — New York State Department of Public Service · checked Aug 23, 2026
- HEFPA Cold-Weather and Holiday Protections · checked Aug 27, 2026