Families are already stretched thin, paying 25% more because of the “system benefits charge,” fueling record past-due bills across New York.
Debt by Design
In New York, electricity bills don’t just pay for power – they’re weighed down by Albany’s hidden “system benefits charge,” which makes up nearly 25% of every bill. That hidden tax is pushing families deeper into debt.
As of February 2025, 1.2 million households were more than 60 days behind on their utility bills, owing nearly $1.8 billion. More than 400,000 termination notices were sent for lack of payment, and over 9,000 households actually lost service.
These numbers aren’t an accident — they’re the direct result of energy policies that pile on costs New Yorkers can’t afford. Families deserve affordable, reliable energy, not hidden taxes that make it harder to keep the lights on.
Protect Your Pocket
New Yorkers can’t afford surprise charges that make it harder to cover rent, groceries, and other essentials. Protecting your pocket means demanding transparency and pushing lawmakers to put consumers ahead of political mandates.
The Hidden Costs of The System Benefits Charge: Fees That Fuel the Crisis
Most New Yorkers don’t realize that a quarter of their monthly electricity bill goes beyond paying for power. Buried within each bill is the state’s system benefits charge — a line item that directs billions into government programs while leaving families with higher costs month after month. Unlike the cost of electricity itself, this charge isn’t tied to usage, meaning households pay more regardless of how carefully they conserve energy.
This added burden comes at a time when affordability is already stretched thin. According to the Office of the State Comptroller, more than 38 percent of New York households — nearly 2.9 million families — were cost burdened in 2022, spending over 30 percent of their income just to cover housing. Layering steep utility charges on top of housing insecurity only deepens financial strain, leaving families with less to spend on essentials.
Join the effort
New Yorkers are being weighed down by rising utility costs and hidden fees. Together, we can demand fair, affordable energy that puts families first. Add your name today and be part of the effort to hold Albany accountable.
