Lowering Costs

Long Island Cares

My focus is on bipartisan solutions that help lower costs for hardworking Long Islanders.

We are facing a cost-of-living crisis on Long Island. I've heard from countless families and seniors who are struggling with increased prices of groceries, gas, health care and more. That's why lowering costs and cutting taxes for hardworking Long Islanders is a top priority of mine in Congress. 

My focus is on finding practical, bipartisan solutions to lower costs and build an economy that allows young people to buy a home and raise a family on Long Island and for our seniors to be able to afford to stay here. As this work continues in Congress, please use this webpage to find resources that can help lower your costs.

Help with a Federal Agency

  • Residents of the 4th Congressional District of New York can contact us for assistance in dealing with Federal agencies. In order to better serve you, this form will generate a printable pdf document that you should sign and mail, fax, or deliver in person to our office.

Help with taxes:

  • Help for Taxpayers: First, please know that my office is here to serve you however we can. That includes helping with any stalled tax refunds you may have with the IRS.
  • Contact Your Local IRS Office: If you need additional help and need to speak to someone for specific questions.
  • Taxpayer Advocate Service: This is an independent service within the IRS that helps ensure taxpayers are treated fairly.
  • Find Free Tax Prep Help: The IRS may be able to connect you with in-person services that can help you file your taxes for free.
  • IRS Free File: You may be able to get tax preparation assistance for free or at low cost. See if you qualify.

Help with Energy Bills

  • Home Energy Audit: Sometimes commonsense improvements, like locating and sealing air leaks, can yield savings on your energy bill. A home energy audit can help you find inefficiencies and ways to save, many of which you may be able to do on your own. The Department of Energy has more information to help you get started.
  • Energy Assistance Program (EAP): The program is meant to provide financial relief for low-income consumers by making their electric and/or natural gas utility bills more affordable through monthly bill discounts.   
    • Energy costs for low-income customers historically have been between 10-20 percent of their income, or sometimes higher.
    • The EAP set an energy burden target level at or below 6% of household income for all New York State utility low-income customers.
    • The PSC approved the following measures to fulfill a program goal of reaching all eligible low-income households.
  • The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters heat and cool their homes.
    • IF you get Cash Assistance or SNAP benefits, and you meet all program requirements, you do not need to re-apply each year for a HEAP benefit. All others must re-apply each year and meet the HEAP qualifications to receive a HEAP benefit.
  • Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR: The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program offers a trusted approach to home upgrades that includes a comprehensive evaluation, with recommended work being performed by trained and qualified networks of contractors.

Help with Health Care:

Save on groceries:

  • Groceries on a budget: Find a variety of tools and resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that may help you save on your groceries.
  • Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's smartphone app may also be able to help you find healthy food savings in your area and prepare budget-friendly meals.

Help with gas:

Help with mortgages and rent:

Help for seniors: