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:

 

More on Lowering Costs

ICYMI: Long Island Herald: “I’m fighting to lower costs for Long Island families”
January 15, 2026
Press Release
HEMPSTEAD, NY — In case you missed it, the Long Island Herald published an op-ed by Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) outlining her efforts to lower costs and make life more affordable for Long Island families. In the op-ed, Gillen details her bipartisan efforts to lower the cost of living for Long Islanders, including health care, utilities and other essential expenses.
Issues: Lowering Costs
Rep. Gillen Helps Pass Bipartisan Extension of ACA Tax Credits to Protect Affordable Health Care
January 8, 2026
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) released the following statement: 

Issues: Lowering Costs
My focus is on Bipartisan Solutions for 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.
Gillen Statement on GOP Tax Bill
July 3, 2025
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) released the following statement after the House passed the GOP tax bill:
Issues: Lowering Costs Health
Gillen, Suozzi, and Local Leaders Hold Press Conference to Address Devastating Impact of Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to Long Island
May 28, 2025
Press Release
LONG ISLAND, NY – This morning, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and local leaders held a press conference to address House Republicans’ budget package and the impact of its proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The budget legislation is expected to have a far-reaching impact on vulnerable populations across Nassau County, including families, seniors, and veterans who count on these programs for healthcare, food assistance, and other essential assistance.
Issues: Lowering Costs
Gillen Statement on GOP Tax Bill
May 22, 2025
Press Release
“The partisan budget bill, proffered and passed without accepting any bipartisan input, dramatically raises costs and our national debt by trillions of dollars and fails the American people."
Issues: Lowering Costs
Gillen Testifies Before Rules Committee on SALT Cap Repeal Amendment
May 21, 2025
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) testified in front of the House Rules Committee on her amendment to fully repeal the cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. Gillen’s amendment would cut taxes for hardworking families on Long Island. Below is a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery.
Issues: Lowering Costs
Gillen Introduces Amendment to Reconciliation Package That Would Restore Full SALT Deduction; Fulfill President’s Promise to “Get SALT Back”
May 20, 2025
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) introduced an amendment to House Republicans’ reconciliation package that would eliminate any limitation on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which was capped at $10,000 as part of the 2017 GOP tax bill. Gillen’s amendment would fulfill the President’s pledge to “get SALT back”, which he made during a trip to New York’s Fourth Congressional District in 2024. 
Issues: Lowering Costs
Gillen: Long Island needs lower costs, not another tax hike for consumers
April 3, 2025
Press Release
GARDEN CITY, NY – Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) released the following statement after reporting emerged showing that the Administration’s proposed trade policy would raise household costs by $7300 for American families annually:
Issues: Lowering Costs
Gillen, Suozzi Hold Budget Briefing on House Budget Bill to Overflow Crowd at Hofstra University
March 3, 2025
Press Release
“Today’s budget briefing was an important opportunity for Long Islanders to learn more about the budget process and hear directly from local experts about how the Majority’s budget would impact our communities,” said Rep. Gillen. “This budget would rip thousands of people from their health care, gut programs that my constituents count on, and raise costs for working families. I’ll always reach across the aisle when it means delivering results for Long Island, but I won’t support a bill that’s bad for Nassau County.” 
Issues: Lowering Costs