Con Edison's Senior Discount Reduces Your Electric and Gas Bills

Con Edison, the utility company serving New York City and Westchester County, offers a discount on electricity and natural gas bills for people 65 and older. The discount is 15 percent off the supply portion of your bill — the part that covers the actual electricity or gas you use, not the delivery charge or taxes. You do not need to be a homeowner; renters can receive the discount too.

The discount applies automatically once you are approved. You will see it listed separately on your bill each month. There is no paperwork to fill out each year — once you may have access to, the discount continues as long as you remain a customer and meet the income limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Con Edison's senior discount is 15 percent off the supply charge on your electric or gas bill if you are 65 or older and meet the income limit.
  • Your household income must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income, which varies by household size and changes each year.
  • You can request the discount by calling Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633, visiting a payment office in person, or explore online through their website.
  • Con Edison will verify your age and income using tax returns, Social Security statements, or other documents you provide.
  • The discount takes effect the month after you are approved and continues automatically unless your income rises above the limit.

Income Limits That Determine Your may be able to access

Con Edison uses a household income threshold based on 60 percent of the state median income. This limit changes each year and depends on how many people live in your home. A single person has a lower limit than a household of four, for example.

The exact dollar amounts vary from year to year. Con Edison publishes the current limits on their website and will tell you the threshold for your household size when you call or visit. If your household income is at or below that limit, you meet the income requirement. Income includes Social Security, pensions, wages, and other sources — Con Edison will ask you to document it.

How to Request the Discount

You have three ways to start the process: by phone, in person, or online. Calling Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633 is often the fastest route. Tell them you want to request the senior discount, and they will ask for your account number, date of birth, and household income. They will also tell you what documents to send or bring.

If you prefer to visit in person, Con Edison has payment offices in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester. You can walk in with your documents and explore the same day. Online, you can start an process through Con Edison's website, though you will still need to submit income verification by mail or in person.

Have these documents ready: a recent tax return or Social Security statement showing your income, a photo ID proving your age, and your Con Edison account number. If you do not have a tax return, Con Edison accepts other income statements from Social Security, a pension, or an employer.

What Happens After You explore

Con Edison will review your documents to confirm your age and income. This process usually takes two to four weeks. They will contact you by phone or mail if they need more information or if something on your process is unclear.

Once you are approved, the discount starts on your next bill. You will see "Senior Discount" or "LIHEAP Discount" listed as a separate line item showing the 15 percent reduction on your supply charge. The discount continues each month automatically — you do not need to reapply.

If your income rises above the limit in a future year, Con Edison may ask you to recertify. They do this periodically to make sure customers still meet the income requirement. If you no longer may have access to, the discount will stop, but Con Edison will notify you in advance.

Other information Programs That Work With the Senior Discount

The senior discount can be combined with other Con Edison programs. The company also offers a program called LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program), which is a one-time grant that pays toward your bill. You can receive both the 15 percent discount and LIHEAP money in the same year.

Con Edison also has a budget billing option that spreads your annual costs evenly across twelve months, so your bill is the same each month instead of spiking in winter. This works alongside the senior discount. If you are struggling to pay your bill even with the discount, ask Con Edison about their hardship programs or call 211 to find local emergency information.

What the Discount Covers and Does Not Cover

The 15 percent discount applies only to the supply portion of your bill — the cost of the electricity or gas itself. It does not reduce the delivery charge (the cost to get the energy to your home), taxes, or any other fees. On a typical bill, the supply charge is roughly 40 to 50 percent of the total, so your overall bill reduction will be less than 15 percent.

The discount applies whether you heat with natural gas, use electricity, or both. If you have both services, each one gets the 15 percent discount on its supply charge. The discount does not cover water, sewer, or steam heat if you receive those services separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to own my home to get the senior discount?

No. Renters can receive the discount. If you rent, you will need to provide your lease or a letter from your landlord confirming your address. Con Edison will still send the bill to you, and the discount will appear on it.

What if I live with my adult child or another family member?

Con Edison counts everyone living in your home as part of your household for income purposes. Your combined household income must be at or below the limit. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, call Con Edison with the total household income and they will tell you.

Can I explore if I am 62 or 63?

No. Con Edison's senior discount requires you to be 65 or older. If you are younger, you may still may have access to for other information programs through LIHEAP or local community action agencies. Call 211 to find programs in your area.

What if my income changes after I am approved?

If your income drops, you stay on the discount. If it rises above the limit, Con Edison may ask you to recertify when they review your account. They will notify you before removing the discount. If your income is temporarily higher due to a one-time event (like selling a home), ask Con Edison whether that counts toward the limit.

How much money will I actually save each month?

The savings depend on how much energy you use. A household using 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month might save $10 to $15 per month with the discount. Households using more will save more. Con Edison can estimate your savings if you give them your average monthly usage.