Income Documentation Reminder

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Income Documentation Reminder
Contact with Questions: [email protected]

A Program reminder for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and how each impacts EmPower+ eligibility. 

For the purposes of EmPower+ income qualification, if an applicant provides an SSI benefits letter, the household is considered categorically eligible for EmPower+ and no additional income documentation is required. An SSI benefits letter will be from the Social Security Administration and will clearly state what the Supplemental Security Income monthly benefit is.

If a household provides an SSA benefits letter, this encompasses Social Security income from retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. SSA benefits are considered standard income and must be reported along with all other household income before an income eligibility determination can be made.

This was covered on the April 4, 2025 and May 2, 2025, contractor check in webinars, which also provided examples of the award letters for reference.

 If there are any questions on income documentation, please reach out to TRC at [email protected] or call 1-866-NYSERDA.