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Connecticut News
Local News
Eversource Recognizes Connecticut’s 3rd Annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month
Nov 9, 2023
Heating Assistance Awareness Month
financial assistance
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
Energy company reminds customers of programs and heating assistance available
“The first thing income-eligible customers should do is reach out to their Community Action Agency (CAA) to access the CEAP benefit available to them because that money goes directly to help pay their heating bill,” said Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations and Assistance Programs Jess Cain. “In addition, we have a new electric bill discount rate for low-income customers and many programs that customers should also take advantage of. Most importantly, for customers who meet state income requirements, we will protect their household from service shut off during the coldest months each year.”
Customers who’ve never needed assistance previously may not realize they qualify for protection from service disconnection and may also be eligible for other programs to help pay their bill. For example, a household of four with an annual income of ~$79 thousand dollars meets the income-eligibility requirements. Eversource encourages all customers to contact the energy company at Eversource.com/Billhelp or 800-286-2828 to find out if one of the programs below could be beneficial to them.
- Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) - state provided assistance for winter heating costs for thousands of Connecticut homeowners and renters who meet state income guidelines. Customers must work with their local Community Action Agency (CAA) to access CEAP – a heating assistance benefit up to $530 per household this year. Customers can find their local CAA at 211 or by calling 211.
- Winter Protection - protection for income eligible customers from service shut off from November 1 through May 1. Customers should check the state’s income guidelines to see if they qualify for winter protection.
- A new Low-Income Discount Rate will take effect December 1st which can give customers with financial hardship either a 10% or 50% discount off their electric bill per month. Customers can qualify to receive the discount based on their household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount.
- The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount electric or gas heating 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 owed.
- The New Start Program forgives overdue balances for electric customers as on-time monthly payments are made. (For example, if your New Start 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 towards your bill, we will reduce your past-due balance by $100.)
- Flexible Payment Plans are also available to all customers, regardless of income, to help pay their past-due balance over a period of time.
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