Energy rates soaring? Here are some programs to help you pay the bills
Customers who rely on energy from companies like NYSEG, RG&E, or National Grid, may be experiencing soaring supply rates caused by energy generating companies with this increase in household usage.
NYSEG and RG&E are urging customers to take advantage of a variety of assistance programs to avoid falling behind on bills and disconnections including services designed to meet customers' needs. This includes the company's Energy Assistance Program.
Customers who qualify could receive a monthly credit on their bill. It could also benefit customers to take advantage of Budget Billing which divides yearly bills into 12 equal payments. This spreads higher winter usage totals across the months.
The Home Energy and Assistance Program is another way to get some help. This federal grant program helps eligible households pay for energy costs, repairs and weatherization. Income eligible customers can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season. The number of benefits vary per season depending on the availability of funds. For more information or to apply for a HEAP grant you can visit this website here.
National Grid also offers payment programs including Recurring Payments or DirectPay. To enroll or learn more about these programs you can visit this website here.
For help with your RG&E bill you can visit this website here or call (877) 266-3492. For help with your NYSEG bill you can visit this website here or call (888) 315-1755.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hyflux sought to position itself as a growth company instead of utility company to get better valuations
SINGAPORE - Hyflux sought to position itself as a growth company rather than a utility company to get better market valuations, the lead counsel for Olivia Lum told the court on Aug 20. Building a strong pipeline of projects, including Tuaspring, was one strategy to achieve this, added Senior Counsel Davinder Singh on the fifth day of the criminal trial involving Lum, former chief financial officer Cho Wee Peng and four other former independent directors. Mr Singh took the prosecution's second witness, Ms Winnifred Heap Ah Lan, through minutes taken during a series of risk management committee meetings, in which managing shareholder confidence was a growing focus. Ms Heap was Hyflux's head of corporate communications and investor relations at the time. Prior to Hyflux being named preferred bidder for the Tuaspring project in March 2011, concerns over the water treatment company being rerated from a growth company to a utility company emerged in one such meeting in January 2011. In one section, Ms Heap had presented on the difference between a growth company and a utilities company. According to minutes from that meeting, she had said: 'Once a growth company proves that it can deliver results, the market rewards them ahead of time, such an example being Apple Inc. On the other hand, the PE (price to earnings) ratio of a utilities company is comparatively lower and the market only rewards the company when delivery is proven.' When asked by the prosecution on Aug 19 why concerns emerged over the possibility of Hyflux being rerated, Ms Heap had responded: 'I don't think there was a concern. It's more a fact that as a listed company you need to know how you are positioned and what is your strategy. So I think the idea of this risk management meeting was really to set up some kind of a discipline surrounding that.' In his cross-examination on Aug 20, Mr Singh also made reference to this meeting. What was being discussed was the importance of keeping that positioning, so that the market will continue to treat Hyflux as a growth company, he said. 'As far as you were concerned, this was an exercise conducted in good faith, not just in Hyflux but in the interests of its shareholders. And it was an exercise to continue positioning of Hyflux as a growth company truthfully?' he asked. Ms Heap agreed. He also asked what she meant by setting up 'some kind of a discipline', to which she responded: 'It's really a process you want to put in place, take feedback from shareholders and stakeholders, and look at their concerns.' Mr Singh asked if the exercise to put this process in place 'was being conducted honestly and truthfully'. Ms Heap concurred. She had earlier told the court that the risk management committee discussed the need to grow Hyflux's order book and continue to win new contracts, as existing long-term contracts tend to provide recurring income but 'might not give the delta incremental growth.' This was a vital difference, Mr Singh pointed out, as the market would value differently a growth company that continues to win new orders and contracts, from a utilities company earning income from long-term contracts. When asked about whether divestments were part of Hyflux's business model, Ms Heap replied: 'We call that capital recycling. The capital requirements for a water plant can be quite huge. The idea is to recycle assets and get the valuation out of it and reinvest into another water plant. The strength is the company has expertise to originate new water plants.' Mr Singh asked: 'And the feedback you received from major shareholders and analysts reports led you to present that ... as key shareholders have been increasing their holdings, it is important to continue to position the company as a growth company, and therefore important to continue to do so for the purpose of its valuations?' Ms Heap replied: 'Correct'. When questioned on her presentation that 'the company is compromising returns with low bid for Tuas desalination plant. This perception should correct itself with the continued financial performance of the company, Ms Heap explained that the perception refers to the 'relationship between low returns and financial performance of the company.' The company's 'profitability may be compromised but if it is able to deliver earnings progressively then the perception would be corrected,' she said. The hearing continues. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ford Announces $5 Billion Push Toward Electric Vehicles. Here's What Investors Need to Know.
Key Points Ford's $5 billion investment will create a whole new kind of assembly line built from the ground up to make electric vehicles, as well as a whole new kind of superior EV battery. The market being targeted by these improvements, however, may or may not be interested when these vehicles become available. Although a risky bet, Ford stock's low valuation already prices in most (if not all) of this risk. 10 stocks we like better than Ford Motor Company › Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service Big news from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F): The automaker's investing another $5 billion in its electric vehicle business, hoping to drive much-needed sales growth while simultaneously fending off would-be Chinese competitors. The company made the announcement last week. And, kudos. Most long-term shareholders would agree Ford needs to do something -- anything -- to light a fire under its lethargic stock. Ford shares are still priced where they were in 2002, after all, even if decent dividends have been paid for most of the meantime. What's not clear is if this is the best move Ford could make at this time to get shares moving again. Here's what investors need to know about the plan. This investment rethinks its electric vehicles from the ground up The company's already in the EV business, to be clear. It makes a handful of hybrids, although its highest-profile electric vehicles are arguably its all-electric F-150 Lightning and a pretty cool all-electric Mustang called the Mach-E. With the exception of their batteries and electric motors, however, these EVs are still designed and manufactured rather similarly to ordinary combustion-powered automobiles. Ford's $5 billion plan includes a whole new kind of assembly line specifically for electric vehicles. And not just one. This assembly line will be capable of supporting the manufacture of several different kinds of vehicles including a light pickup truck with a targeted starting price point of around $30,000. More than half of the $5 billion investment, however, will be made in the lithium batteries required by all electric vehicles. Ford says its new battery tech can lower the size and cost of EV batteries by around one-third without sacrificing any range per charge, solving one of the EV industry's biggest lingering problems. Ford's existing EV business isn't exactly thrilling ... or profitable As exciting as this decision may be, again, it's not exactly Ford's foray into the electric vehicle market. It's the company's second (and perhaps third) chapter. And its story to date hasn't exactly been thrilling. The aforementioned Mustang Mach-E became available in 2021, while the F-150 Lightning and a new delivery van reached the market in 2022. A few more Ford-made hybrids have been unveiled since then as well. Yet, Ford only sold $3.9 billion worth of electric vehicles last year, down 35% year over year, and only accounting for about 2% of its total top line of $185 billion. Its EV arm also lost a little over $5 billion in 2024, on an operating basis. It's a concern simply because it's difficult to determine if the challenge is a lack of production scale, a lack of demand, or a combination of both. The ambitious goal may be aimed at the wrong market Ford will almost certainly do it right. But, figuring out how to make an affordable and marketable electric vehicle may be of little actual benefit to shareholders. Simply put, Americans as a whole are anything but stoked about battery-powered automobiles. A recent survey performed by the American Automobile Association (which you know as AAA) indicates that only 16% of U.S. adults are likely or very likely to purchase a fully electric automobile. That's down from 2024's figure of 18%, marking three years of declines from 2022's 25%. Conversely, the number of American consumers who are unlikely or very unlikely to purchase an EV has grown from 51% to 63% during that four-year stretch. Ford isn't just a U.S. company, to be clear. It also makes and markets vehicles overseas -- even if largely through partnerships -- where EVs are considerably and increasingly more marketable. For instance, the International Energy Agency believes that 80% of China's new automobile sales will be EVs by 2030, versus only about half of the country's new-car sales now. Ford is mostly an American company though, where it produces roughly two-thirds of its total sales and very nearly all of its profits. And, while the U.S. company's electric vehicle production know-how and battery technology could be utilized elsewhere, it's difficult not to notice the American-ness of its $5 billion plan. The EV production facility in question is located in Louisville, Kentucky, while the new-tech lithium batteries will be manufactured in Marshall, Michigan. Let's also not look past the fact that the one vehicle Ford has touted that will be made by this new assembly line is a low-cost pickup truck, which, of course, is wildly more popular here than anywhere else in the world. This is (almost) an all-in bet on the company's future Given the American-centric nature of Ford's big investment in EVs, largely aimed at a market that isn't exactly in love with battery-powered vehicles, the concerns being voiced are understandable. Although the cost doesn't quite present the existential crisis that some analysts are hinting at, it is a sizable bet for any struggling company that only clears about $5 billion in net income per year and is sitting on more than $100 billion in long-term liabilities. If Americans don't come around on electric vehicles by the time they start coming off of Ford's new assembly line in 2027, the company's current challenges will only worsen. As such, there's no room for any error here, including errors in judgment as to the future marketability of EVs in the United States. That's why any interested investor will want to think very carefully before plowing into a new stake in this carmaker. Still, with Ford shares priced at only about 8 times next year's expected per-share earnings of $1.40 and a trailing dividend yield of just over 5%, it seems most (if not all) of this risk is already priced in. It wouldn't be unreasonable to find a little bit of room in your portfolio for Ford stock at this time. You just might want to contain your risk by keeping any position in this name smaller than you might normally take on. Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now? Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $671,466!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,115,633!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,077% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025 James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Ford Announces $5 Billion Push Toward Electric Vehicles. Here's What Investors Need to Know. was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
The dividend stocks to buy (and the ones to avoid)
The FTSE 100 is sometimes referred to as 'investing backwater', owing to its limited number of high-growth companies. But what the London stock market lacks in exciting tech giants, it makes up for in reliable income stocks. On average, the index offers a dividend yield of 3.6pc, compared to just 1.2pc for the S&P 500. Although dividends are expected to dip this year as a result of some companies cutting payouts, the FTSE 100 remains one of the highest-yielding markets in the world. Depending on whether you take or reinvest the payments, dividends can supplement your income or turbocharge your portfolio. According to analysis from investment firm Fidelity, an investor who put £100 a month in the FTSE 100 for 10 years – totalling £12,000 – would have £14,764 today. But if they had reinvested the dividends, they would have £18,132. Here, Telegraph Money explores some of the most compelling income plays in the market right now. Legal & General Forward yield: 8.2pc It can be difficult to find stocks that have both a high yield and a reliable track record for income investors, which is why Legal & General is such a popular pick. The financial services group is one of the highest-yielding stocks in the FTSE 100, and hasn't cut its dividend once in the past decade. It has delivered strong results for the first half of the year, with underlying profit up 6pc as it seeks to expand internationally. Susannah Streeter, of stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The balance sheet is in a very strong position, which supports ambitious return plans. The market looks set to stay healthy over the medium term, and the valuation doesn't look too demanding.' Aviva Forward yield: 6pc Insurer Aviva has had an impressive year, with shares up 35pc after a strong 2024. Protection sales rose 42pc year-on-year thanks to the acquisition of AIG, and retirement sales increased 33pc as higher interest rates drove annuity sales. The stock offers a generous dividend, and has grown its yield by 12pc per year on average over the past five years, according to analysis by Fidelity. Primary Health Properties Forward yield: 7.5pc Healthcare landlord PHP, which owns over 500 surgeries, dental practices and medical centres, stands to benefit from the Government's 10-year NHS plan thanks to increased spending on infrastructure and proposals to shift care from hospitals to the community. As a real estate investment trust (REIT), PHP is required to pay out the majority of its rental profits as dividends, so income investors can generally expect a passive income. The landlord is on track for its 29th year of consecutive dividend growth. National Grid Forward yield: 4.38pc National Grid reduced its dividend yield by a fifth this year to fund its ambitious growth plans, but Ms Streeter said it was a 'sensible move' and the current yield of 4.38pc is still a robust offer. Ms Streeter said: 'National Grid managed to squeeze out slightly better-than-expected profits, despite revenue falling as it sold its Electricity System Operator business to the UK Government back in October 2024. 'Work is well under way for National Grid to plant itself at the heart of the electric revolution. Infrastructure investment is set to rise sharply to around £60bn over the five years to March 2029 – nearly double the previous five-year total.' NatWest Forward yield: 4.8pc The Government sold its final share in NatWest in May, which analysts think could free up the bank to take on more risk. NatWest had a strong start to the year, thanks in part to homebuyers getting in ahead of April's stamp duty changes, and falling interest rates could encourage more buyers to take out mortgages. The forward dividend yield of 4.8pc is modest, but its balance sheet is strong, putting management in a good position to invest in the business or return cash to shareholders. Dividend flags to watch for While it's understandable to be on the lookout for high yields, it's not always a good sign. Jemma Slingo, of Fidelity, said: 'Although it sounds counterintuitive, investors shouldn't get too obsessed with big dividend yields. A yield that is too high can actually be a red flag, as it suggests the market is braced for a cut.' In some cases, a company may have seen its dividend pushed up by a declining share price. This is because yield is calculated as the annual dividends per share divided by the share price. A falling share price could signal that earnings are expected to fall and a dividend cut is on the horizon. For example, advertiser WPP offers a tantalising yield of about 9pc, but its share price is at its lowest level in 15 years. It recently halved its interim dividend and announced a 48pc drop in operating profits for the first half of the year. Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is another high-yielding stock whose share price has slumped this year. It plunged to a pre-tax loss in the first half after taking a £20m charge to fix poor workmanship at an old development. Ms Streeter said: 'Given that Taylor Wimpey cut its interim dividend, it could continue the trend for the full year.' She went on: 'There has been another interest rate cut this month, but further reductions in borrowing costs are looking less likely by the end of the year, so the company may well be a bit more cautious about shareholder returns going forward.'' Dividend cover can help you work out whether a company's payout is sustainable. This shows you how many times a firm can afford to pay its dividend out of available profits. It can be calculated as prospective earnings per share (EPS) divided by prospective dividend per share (DPS). Anything below one could be cause for concern, with anything above two generally considered healthy. You may also want to check the company's operating free cash flow and debt levels. This will tell you whether the company is making enough money to comfortably pay its dividend. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
