# Free Food Finder NY — 142-Tip Source Audit, Phase 3

Generated: 2026-08-02

- Phase 3 scope: all **23 Bill Savings** rows.
- Sources were limited to current government, utility, program-operator, tax-agency and official program pages.
- Four public card summaries were corrected where the previous wording overstated or obscured the current rules.

## Material corrections applied to the site

- EmPower+ no longer implies every eligible renter receives thousands of dollars of completely free work; the card distinguishes low-income no-cost work from moderate-income partial incentives.
- NYC Leak Forgiveness no longer suggests the entire spike can disappear; the program generally reduces only part of a qualifying high bill.
- The utility-arrears card no longer promises debt forgiveness. It now directs users to ask for payment agreements and utility-specific arrears programs in writing.
- Enhanced STAR now explains that existing STAR recipients are automatically reviewed for an upgrade beginning in 2026.

## Bill Savings

### 1. Earn Too Much for HEAP?
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** DPS confirms the traditional EAP and the income-based Enhanced EAP are active. EEAP began January 13, 2026; eligibility and monthly discounts are utility-specific and customers cannot receive overlapping EAP and EEAP discounts.
- **Official source(s):** https://dps.ny.gov/node/10181 | https://dps.ny.gov/news/psc-expands-energy-affordability-policy-low-moderate-income-customers

### 2. Renters Too: Get Help Paying for Insulation and Home Energy Upgrades
- **Status:** Verified With Correction
- **Finding:** NYSERDA confirms owners and renters of 1-4 family homes can qualify. Low-income downstate projects may receive no-cost improvements up to $14,000; moderate-income projects generally receive 50% up to $7,000. The old card title implied all eligible work was free and was corrected.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/EmPower-New-York-Program

### 3. NYC Commuters: Cut Your Subway and Bus Costs in Half
- **Status:** Verified Current Limit
- **Finding:** The live Fair Fares application still lists 2026 limits equivalent to 150% FPL. Do not publish the funded/proposed 200% expansion as active until HRA changes the enrollment rules.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyc.gov/site/fairfares/index.page

### 4. NYC Homeowners Over 65
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** NYC confirms SCHE reduces assessed value by 5%-50% for eligible owners age 65+ with income up to $58,399. The 2026/27 filing deadline was March 16, 2026; late applications are processed for the next benefit year. Renewal is generally every two years.
- **Official source(s):** https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02523 | https://home4.nyc.gov/site/finance/property/residential-properties-exemptions.page

### 5. NYC Seniors and Disabled Tenants
- **Status:** Verified Current Limit
- **Finding:** The live NYC Rent Freeze page continues to use a $50,000 combined household-income limit. Keep the $75,000 proposal out of live guidance until the official application changes.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/freezing/freezing-your-rent.page

### 6. Still Paying for Internet in NYCHA?
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** NYC311 confirms eligible NYCHA residents can receive internet up to 300 Mbps, router, modem, basic cable, box and remote at no monthly charge through the assigned provider. Coverage is development-specific.
- **Official source(s):** https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03558

### 7. HEAP Can Help With Bills, Shutoffs—and Even a Broken Furnace
- **Status:** Seasonal Status Check Required
- **Finding:** OTDA confirms separate regular, emergency, and Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement components. The indexed official page lists 2025-26 opening dates but no reliable current closing status. HERR is limited to eligible owner-occupants age 60+ and caps repairs at $4,000 and replacements at $8,000. Check current component status before referral.
- **Official source(s):** https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ | https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/

### 8. Take a Short Driving Course and Get a Mandatory 10% Auto-Insurance Discount
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** DMV confirms an approved PIRP course reduces the base rate of auto and motorcycle insurance premiums by 10% each year for three years. It applies to the principal operator and does not prevent other premium increases.
- **Official source(s):** https://dmv.ny.gov/points-and-penalties/point-and-insurance-reduction-program

### 9. NYC Homeowners: Get a Recurring Credit on Your Water Bill
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** DEP confirms a $191 annual, non-refundable water/sewer credit for qualifying 1-4 family owners. Enrollment is automatic based on current HEAP, SCHE, DHE or veterans-exemption records.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/pay-my-bills/home-water-assistance-program.page | https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02789

### 10. Getting SNAP or HEAP?
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** DPS confirms all large gas and electric utilities provide traditional EAP discounts to HEAP households and expanded qualifying benefit groups. Automatic enrollment may occur, but customers should verify each gas and electric account separately.
- **Official source(s):** https://dps.ny.gov/node/10181

### 11. PSEG Long Island Customers
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** PSEG Long Island’s current assistance page says the Household Assistance Program saves $45 or more per month for customers receiving specified assistance benefits. Eligibility and recertification rules apply.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance

### 12. Get $9.25 a Month Off Your Phone or Internet Bill
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** USAC confirms Lifeline provides up to $9.25 per month for phone, internet or bundled service. Eligibility is income- or benefit-based and the benefit is generally limited to one per household.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.lifelinesupport.org/

### 13. Stop Paying Hundreds for Tax Preparation
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** IRS confirms VITA generally serves people earning $69,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited-English taxpayers; TCE focuses on people age 60+. NYC Free Tax Prep has broader 2026 city limits and provides some year-round help, but return complexity and site capacity vary.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers | https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02303 | https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/talk-money/file-your-taxes-faqs.page

### 14. Seniors: Stack a Second Property-Tax Exemption on Top of STAR
- **Status:** Verified Current Local Rules
- **Finding:** NYS Tax confirms localities may offer a separate senior citizens exemption and recipients may also qualify for STAR. Local adoption, income limits, deduction rules, deadlines and exemption percentages vary by assessor.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/seniorexempt.htm

### 15. Seniors: Cut Prescription Costs With a New York Program Medicare Doesn’t Automatically Give You
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** NYS DOH confirms EPIC eligibility for New York residents age 65+ with annual income under $75,000 single or $100,000 married, Part D eligibility/enrollment and no full Medicaid. Deductibles and premium help vary by income.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/ | https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/eligibility.htm | https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/deductible_plan.htm

### 16. Installing Solar?
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** NYS Tax confirms the residential solar credit equals 25% of qualified expenditures, capped at $5,000. It is nonrefundable, with unused credit carried forward up to five years. Principal-residence and system rules apply.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/solar_energy_system_equipment_credit.htm | https://www.tax.ny.gov/data/stats/ter/fiscal-year26/personal-income-tax.htm

### 17. Got a Huge Water Bill From a Leak?
- **Status:** Verified With Correction
- **Finding:** DEP does not forgive the whole spike. For an eligible metered property, the leak generally must produce a bill at least 200% of normal, be fixed and disputed within 120 days, and no forgiveness may have been granted in the prior two years. The adjustment is half the high bill, but the amount due cannot fall below 150% of the normal bill.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/pay-my-bills/leak-forgiveness-program.page

### 18. Use SNAP at the Right Market and Get Extra Money for Produce
- **Status:** Verified Current With Geography
- **Finding:** NYC Health Bucks provides a $2-for-$2 SNAP match up to $10 per day for fruits and vegetables at participating NYC markets. Statewide FreshConnect also provides a $2-for-$2 match at participating markets, but its checks can buy any SNAP-eligible food. The programs should not be described as identical.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/health-bucks.page | https://agriculture.ny.gov/consumer-benefits-farmers-markets

### 19. Behind on a Utility Bill?
- **Status:** Needs Utility Specific Confirmation
- **Finding:** The prior card promised old debt would be reduced over time. Current Con Edison consumer pages clearly support payment agreements, but do not establish a universal forgiveness benefit. Arrears-management tariffs exist at some utilities, yet customer eligibility and forgiveness formulas are utility-specific. The card was corrected to tell users to ask rather than promise forgiveness.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-plans-assistance | https://www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-plans-assistance/about-payment-agreements | https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/common/newestcases.aspx

### 20. Use Your Library Card for Free Museum, Garden and Attraction Tickets
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** NYC confirms cardholders age 13+ from the three public library systems can reserve free Culture Pass admission. Inventory is limited; generally one pass per institution per calendar year and no more than two active reservations.
- **Official source(s):** https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02671 | https://www.culturepass.nyc/

### 21. Seniors, Disabled Riders and Fair Fares Members
- **Status:** Verified Current
- **Finding:** The current NYC Ferry discount page lists a $1.45 one-way fare for approved seniors, people with disabilities and current Fair Fares participants. Some older FAQ pages still show $1.35, so use the current discount page and avoid hard-coding a fare without rechecking.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.ferry.nyc/discount/

### 22. Replacing Your Heating System?
- **Status:** Verified Current Utility Specific
- **Finding:** NYS Clean Heat continues for 2026-2030 and provides incentives through participating contractors and listed investor-owned utilities. Incentives vary by address, utility, equipment and project design. PSEG Long Island is not listed among the NYS Clean Heat administering utilities, so Long Island electric customers must check PSEG LI separately.
- **Official source(s):** https://cleanheat.ny.gov/contractors/ | https://cleanheat.ny.gov/find-available-rebates/ | https://cleanheat.ny.gov/stacking-your-cost-savings/

### 23. Turning 65?
- **Status:** Verified Current With Automatic Upgrade
- **Finding:** NYS Tax says that beginning in 2026, existing STAR exemption and credit recipients are automatically reviewed and upgraded to Enhanced STAR when an eligible resident owner reaches 65, if income and other rules are met. The 2026-27 income limit is $110,750.
- **Official source(s):** https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/changes/ | https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/types.htm