NY utilities offering credits for those facing long power outages. Are you eligible?

Thousands are still without power throughout New York after multiple bouts of destructive storms brought strong winds, heavy rain, hail and several tornadoes across the state may be eligible for some credits from their utility companies.

Ten tornadoes have now been confirmed statewide within the last week, with three resulting from Monday and Tuesday's storms, and Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency late Tuesday night. Over 10,000 NYSEG customers are still without power as of 12:55 p.m. Wednesday and over 71,000 National Grid customers are still without power as of 11:40 a.m. Wednesday.

Here's what to know about the credits.

Compensation credits for spoiled food, prescription medication

Residential and small business customers who are without power for 72 consecutive hours may be eligible to receive reimbursement for spoiled food or prescription medication resulting from a lack of refrigeration, according to state law.

NYSEG specifies the power outage needs to be widespread and prolonged, impacting 20,000 customers or more at the same time.

Eligible customers can request a credit of up to $235 for spoiled food when they provide an itemized list of items lost with their prices, or up to $540 when the claim includes proof of loss, such as photos of the lost food and store receipts.

Eligible small business customers can seek reimbursement for spoiled food of up to $540 when they provide an itemized list and proof of loss with their submitted claim.

And residential customers who are eligible may also apply for a credit for spoiled prescription medication up to the actual value of that medication when they provide an itemized list of the lost items and proof of loss with their claim.

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National Grid requests must be filed within 14 days of the 72-hour outage mark, regardless of your current outage status.

If you're a NYSEG customer, complete a claim form here to apply for the credit: nyseg.com/support/contactus/submit-claim

And National Grid customers have multiple options to file a claim, including online by visiting nationalgridus.com, by email to foodloss@nationalgrid.com, by phone at 315-428-3370 or by mail to National Grid, NY Food Spoilage Claims, 1125 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12204.

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Extended outage credits

Residential customers who experience a service outage of 96 consecutive hours or more will automatically receive a credit of $25 for every 24-hour period they remain without power after the initial 72 hours.

If you're eligible, the credit will be applied to your first billing statement between 60 and 90 days from when the restoration of your power has been completed. You don't need to submit a claim for this credit as it will be automatically applied.

NYSEG specifies the outage needs to be widespread, prolonged and impact 20,000 customers or more at the same time, while National Grid's website only states the outage needs to be due to a storm or incident.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.