Submitted by Jamie Ratliff
(April 11, 2024) — Eversource is alerting customers in Connecticut that utility service shutoffs for non-payment will resume on May 2, 2024, regardless of hardship status, as operations return to pre-pandemic rules.
Service shutoffs are a last resort, and the energy company encourages anyone who needs help paying their bill to take advantage of assistance programs. Eversource is ready to work with all customers one-on-one to connect them with payment options and programs to avoid service disconnection.
“We know how challenging life has been for our customers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, service disconnections have been suspended for customers with a financial hardship since March 2020. The last thing we ever want to do is shut off service to any customer, yet unpaid energy bills increase costs for all customers,” said Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations and Assistance Programs Jess Cain. “We encourage any customer who is having trouble paying their bill to contact us immediately so we can work with them and get them enrolled in one of the many programs we offer that can help and protect them from having their service shut off.”
Customers who meet state income eligibility requirements are eligible for financial hardship programs and bill assistance, including:
· Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) – State-provided energy assistance for winter heating costs for thousands of Connecticut homeowners and renters. Households can get up to $530 in CEAP funds this winter heating season. Customers can apply online at https://ct.gov/heatinghelp or apply directly with their local Community Action Agency (CAA). Visit 211.ct.org or call 211 to find the closest agency.
- The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount customers owe on energy bills. For every dollar they pay and every dollar they receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, we will subtract a dollar from the amount they owe. Customers should visit Eversource.com/billhelp to see if they qualify and enroll.
- The New Start Program can help pay off a past due balance for electric customers in as little as twelve months. With on-time monthly payments, some of what is owed will be subtracted each month. (For example, if a budget payment amount is set at $150 per month and the past due balance is $1,200, for every month a customer makes the required $150 payment toward their bill, Eversource will reduce the past-due balance by $100.)
· Electric Bill Discount. A new electric bill discount is available to customers with a financial hardship status on their electric account. Based on their household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit, customers may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off their electric bill per month. For example, if they have a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. Customers should visit Eversource.com/billhelp to see if they qualify.
In addition, 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 eighteen months.
All Eversource customers are encouraged to sign up for one of the many payment plans or assistance programs the energy company offers and are urged to call Eversource at 800-286-2828 or visit Eversource.com/billhelp to find the right plan for them.
Customers who face having their service shut off for nonpayment will receive multiple letters in the mail from Eversource letting them know their service is scheduled to be shut off and the steps they should take to avoid disconnection.
As a reminder, the energy company will never call threatening to shut off power and demanding immediate payment. Customers can verify the legitimacy of any contact or request for payment by contacting Eversource at 800-286-2828.
