S-SFA/REACH Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

The S-SFA and REACH programs support two important state energy priorities. They help low-income utility customers manage their bills by providing additional discounts and resources to customers who qualify for the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) through government assistance programs. 
 
They also expand access to bill credits from community solar and energy storage projects, also known as community distributed generation (CDG), owned by private developers or the New York Power Authority. 

Con Edison customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) who live in a disadvantaged community (DAC) census tract will be automatically enrolled in both programs and receive additional discounts on their monthly electric bills.

Effective December 1, 2025, eligible customers will have S-SFA and REACH credits applied to their monthly Con Edison bill, subject to credit availability. There is no cost to participate. Customers that become eligible for the programs on or after December 1 will receive credit during the following bill cycle. There is also no penalty for opting out of S-SFA or REACH. For assistance, please call 1-800-752-6633.

If you’re enrolled in S-SFA and/or REACH, you’ll receive discounts on your Con Edison bill in addition to eligible EAP discounts. You can also subscribe to other community solar (also called “Community Distributed Generation” or “CDG”) programs while being enrolled in S-SFA/REACH for additional discounts.  

New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers a find a community solar project tool that includes a list of providers and projects available to Con Edison customers, as well as answers to frequently asked questions they can reference while researching projects.

With Statewide Solar for All and REACH, if you qualify as an eligible EAP participant living in a disadvantaged community, you’ll be signed up automatically to receive S-SFA and REACH credits. Other community solar and CDG programs typically require you to subscribe (or “opt-in”) to a project before receiving a bill credit.

Yes. The monthly credits for S-SFA and REACH participants will be recalculated annually. The credits may increase or decrease based on the number and size of generators participating in the programs and the number of S-SFA and REACH participants when the credit is recalculated.

Any unused S-SFA/REACH credit will roll over to your next bill. Please note, unused credits are not eligible for cash payouts, for example, if you close your accounts. They will only be applied as discounts toward future bill balances.

If you receive qualifying government assistance benefits, you may be eligible for a monthly discount on your energy bill through the Energy Affordability Program.

If you receive HEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, Veterans Disability, or Survivors Pension, or other benefits, you can enroll online or apply via email, fax, mail, or in person at one of our walk-in centers.

Visit our EAP page for more information on eligibility, how to apply, and to learn more about additional assistance programs.