Ask the Utility Consumer Advocate

Important Notice for Electric and Gas Customers:

Please do not use this online form if you received a final disconnection notice from your utility that your electric or gas service will be shut off within 72 hours, call the Department of Public Service Emergency Hotline at 800-342-3355 on weekdays from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm for assistance.

The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate for the City of New York provides information about financial aid available to cover energy utility costs for electric, gas, and steam utility energy customers, answers general questions about utility service, and takes requests to create educational material topics.

Please note this Office does not:

Assist with or have jurisdiction over individual billing issues or service complaints regarding electric, gas, and steam utilities. To submit a formal complaint, please contact the New York State Public Service Commission Department of Complaints by phone at (800) 342-3377 or by using the online complaint form.

Assist with or have authority over billing issues or service complaints regarding companies that provide land-line telephone, cellular telephone, cable television, satellite television, internet, home heating oil, and propane services.

If you have a complaint concerning cellular telephone, satellite television, internet, home heating oil, and propane, you should contact the New York State Attorney General.

If you have a complaint concerning long distance telephone calls made to locations outside of New York State, you should contact the Federal Communications Commission.

Assist with or have jurisdiction over municipal water utilities or authorities. If you have a complaint concerning your water service and you receive water from your municipality, you should contact your municipality directly.

Provide support during emergencies or resolve infrastructure issues.