Program Announcement

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Income Documentation Reminder
Contact with Questions: info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

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 info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or call 1-866-NYSERDA.

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Quarterly Certification Audit – Find-A-Contractor Site
Contact with Questions: Elizabeth.Lazarou@nyserda.ny.gov

To ensure our records are current, we are conducting a quarterly review of EmPower+ Participating Contractor certifications. We ask that you take a moment to review your information on the EmPower+ site on behalf of your company, and respond with any changes by May 23.

Per Section 5.2 of the Program Manual:

“The participating contractor shall provide NYSERDA written documentation identifying each certified individual and copies of their certifications. This is inclusive of staff who will be onsite in a customer’s home and not office staff or other support staff not at project locations. As an ongoing requirement, the participating contractor shall immediately inform the Program of any change to the list of certified staff.”

If there are any questions or if you need to provide updated certification information, please contact Elizabeth.Lazarou@nyserda.ny.gov. 

Program/s: EmPower+, Appliance Upgrade (AUP) 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Updates to QMS Inspection Checklist
Contact with Questions: david.houle@nyserda.ny.gov

The EmPower+ and Appliance Upgrade Program Quality Assurance (QA) inspection checklists have been updated to include verification that electrical work requiring a permit and inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) have been completed.

For example, in homes where a panel upgrade was provided the inspectors will be looking for a sticker on the new panel, indicating the equipment has been inspected. Should the AHJ inspection sticker not be affixed to the new electrical equipment at the time of the QA inspection the installing contactor or customer can provide evidence a permit was obtained and the AHJ inspection is pending.

Please note that section 5.15 of the EmPower+ Program Manual includes Permits as an enabling measure.  The updated checklist is now available on the contractor support site.

Sincerely,

The Quality and Market Standards Team

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Closing date for the 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) Components
Contact with Questions: HEAP Bureau (518) 473-0332 or NYSHEAP@otda.ny.gov

NYSERDA is forwarding this communication from OTDA regarding the closing date for 2024-2025 HEAP and HERR:

The 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) benefit components will operate through the close of business (COB), May 9, 2025. Mail-in applications postmarked on or before the closing date meet the deadline and must be processed.

In accordance with instructions found in 24-LCM-15 and the HEAP Manual, all applications for HERR and C&T benefits received after the deadline must be denied using Client Notices System (CNS) denial code M08 “HEAP HERR Denial” for HERR or M14 “HEAP Clean and Tune Denial” for C&T. When using the CNS denial codes, workers should select ‘Other’ as the reason and enter the following explanation: “Application received after program closing date.”

Section 3 – Temporary Assistance (TA) Implications

Individuals seeking help with heating equipment repair or replacement needs when HEAP HERR is not available may have their needs met under Family Assistance (FA), Safety Net Assistance (SNA), Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) or Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA) if they apply and are found eligible. Department Regulations 18 NYCRR 352.4, 352.6(e), 352.7(b), 372.4(b) and 397.5(h) allow social services districts (districts) to pay for the repair or replacement of essential heating equipment if the repair or replacement is essential to the health and safety of the household. For more information, see the Temporary Assistance Source Book, Chapter 16, Section C.

Section 4 – Additional Guidance to Districts

Vendors must submit final HERR and C&T bills to districts within 30 business days of services rendered, but no later than September 30, 2025.

Districts must continue to submit their HEAP Pending Case Report in eReports on a weekly basis, as outlined in 24-LCM-15.

Please share this information with alternate certifiers. Questions can be addressed with each district’s HEAP Bureau liaison.