Submitted by Mitch Gross.
BERLIN, Conn. (June 21, 2021) – Many Connecticut residents are still facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eversource is working with Connecticut’s Department of Housing to help eligible renters pay their electric bills and rent. UniteCT provides utility payment assistance to qualified households that are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and is specifically designed to help tenants who have fallen behind with rent and utility bills to stay in their homes.
“We want our customers to know there are options to address their energy bills,” said Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations Jess Cain. “UniteCT is a unique opportunity for renters and comes at a critical time, the summer months, when residential customers’ energy usage typically increases by 35% because air conditioners and fans are working hard to keep their homes cool.”
The UniteCT program provides eligible renters up to $1,500 to help with past due electric expenses and up to $10,000 for past or future rent expenses. The new program is funded through the $25 billion federal stimulus package passed by Congress for emergency rental and utility assistance.
Customers are eligible if they meet these requirements:
- They rent
- At least one person in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, has had significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the pandemic
- The household income is at or below 80% of the median income in the area
- They’re at risk for homelessness or housing instability
Customers may also be eligible for additional programs to help pay their energy bills, which would add to the amount received from UniteCT. Programs include:
- The Matching Payment Program, which offers monthly payments as low as $50
- The New Start program, which forgives overdue balances if monthly budget payments are made on time
- Energy Assistance, which provides payment toward the customer’s heating bill
All Eversource customers are eligible for the COVID-19 payment plan that allows them to pay a past-due balance over a period of up to 24 months with no interest charges and no down payment. Enrollment in the program has been extended to July 20. Customers can learn more about all the available payment programs at
Eversource.com/BillHelp or call 800-286-2828.
Eversource also encourages customers to take advantage of its easy energy efficiency solutions that can help keep their homes cool while managing increased energy use during the summer months. More information on the company’s energy efficiency programs is available at Eversource.com.
