Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a statewide program Friday which provides help with paying past-due electric and gas bills for residential and small business customers.

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved a total of $672 million to pay off unaffordable past due utility bills.

Residential and small business customers are eligible if they have any past-due balances from bills for service through May 1, 2022.

These one-time credit reliefs are expected to prevent potential service terminations for more than 478,000 residential customers and about 56,000 small businesses.