Submitted by Mitch Gross, Eversource Energy
(November 4, 2022) —With winter approaching and heating systems being turned on in homes and businesses across the state, Eversource is reminding customers about the many resources available to them. In recognition of Heating Assistance Awareness Month in Connecticut, the energy company is partnering with state leaders and the communities it serves to raise awareness about payment plans and energy assistance programs available to help keep homes and businesses warm this winter.
“This is a challenging time for our customers as temperatures drop. We have many ways to help, and customers should absolutely take advantage of them. Most important is that if you meet state income requirements, we will protect your household from service shut-off during the coldest months each year,” said Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations Jess Cain. “We’re holding free virtual information sessions, and we’ll go over crucial programs that customers should know about, including Connecticut’s Energy Assistance Program and Eversource’s Matching Payment Program and New Start, which can provide lower monthly payments.”
- Winter Protection Plan protects income eligible customers from service disconnection from November 1 through May 1. To see if you qualify for winter protection, you can check the state’s income guidelines here.
- Connecticut’s Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides assistance for winter heating costs for thousands of Connecticut homeowners and renters who meet state income guidelines. Customers can learn more and apply online at ct.gov/heatinghelp or through their local Community Action Agency (CAA). Customers can find their local agency at 211ct.org or by calling 211 or Eversource.
- Operation Fuel provides year-round emergency energy and utility assistance for customers facing a financial crisis. Customers can contact Operation Fuel at 860-243-2345 or apply online at OperationFuel.org/gethelp or through a fuel bank listed on their website.
- The Matching Payment Program can lower a past-due balance with monthly payments as low as $50 for electric or gas heating customers receiving public assistance benefits. For every dollar you pay and every dollar you receive from CEAP, Eversource will subtract a dollar from the amount owed until the balance is paid off.
- The New Start Program subtracts from your overdue balances for electric customers in as little as 12 months as on-time monthly payments are made. (For example. if your budget payment amount is set at $150 per month and your past-due balance is $1,200, for every month you make your required $150 payment toward your bill, we will reduce your past-due balance by $100.)
- Flexible Payment Plans are available to all customers, regardless of income, to pay their past-due balance over a period of time. Residential customers with active service may be eligible for payment plans up to 18 months.
- Eversource is encouraging customers who are having difficulty paying their energy bills to participate in one of three upcoming noon-time webinars – November 17, December 1, or December 8, 2022 – to learn more about programs available to help. The webinar will include information about protection from service disconnection, programs to reduce unpaid balances with affordable monthly payments, extended payment plans and no-cost energy efficiency programs to lower energy bills. Advanced registration is required, and customers can sign up at Eversource.com/Billhelp. Customers can also call the energy company at 800-286-2828 to learn more about the assistance and payment programs available.
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In addition to assistance programs, the webinars will go over energy-saving programs available for customers, including Home Energy SolutionsSM – Income Eligible. More information on energy efficiency solutions can be found at Eversource.com/home-savings.
