Utility and energy bill assistance programs in Connecticut.
Financial assistance programs in Connecticut are available to help low-income families pay their utility, electric and energy bills. People across the state can receive emergency help if they are facing a hardship, an unexpected emergency, or a shut off. Find resources below including low income energy bill help or payment plans to pay bills or to turn utilities back on. Learn more on where to get help with utilities in CT.
In addition to the direct financial assistance for utility bills in Connecticut, also learn about energy bill saving, discount and free conservation programs that are offered. There are also repairs to furnaces or free air conditioners given out during the summer, including from weatherization or other government benefits. Customers can also apply for forgiveness of past due utility bills or get help pay a deposit in order to turn their power, heat or lights back on.
Government grant money in CT to pay utility bills
Utility providers in CT offer forgiveness. Gas companies are required by state laws and regulations to provide struggling, low income customers with an arrearage forgiveness program during the fall, winter and springtime. Arrearages are forgiven on accounts if the qualified customer makes regular payments towards past heating costs. Also many electric companies in Connecticut will also forgive past balances for the elderly or people with no money. Call your utility or Gas Company directly and refer to this service/state law.
Low income energy assistance programs include the LIHEAP (CEAP) Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and also the federal government funded weatherization service. Both prioritize working poor families with children (including single moms), senior citizens, and the disabled. Cash grants are offered for heating and utility bills. More on Connecticut Energy Assistance Program - CEAP.
- Connecticut Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP) is an assistance program that is often combined with CEAP. The financial help for winter heating bills is for those households with more moderate to higher incomes than would qualify for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. So this is intended to help people who are not just low income. Call your local community action agency in CT or Salvation Army to learn more or to apply for help.
Operation Fuel is an emergency program that is offered all across Connecticut. The program is run by a private, non-profit program that provides emergency financial help and crisis assistance with paying energy, heating or utility bills for people who are not eligible for CEAP. There are dozens of applications sites across the state. Get more information Operation Fuel energy assistance.
- The Windsor Fuel Bank is a combination of utility and government help. The program can provide free fuel and heating assistance and the assistance is made available to Connecticut Natural Gas customers as well as The Windsor Fuel Bank for CL&P. The money, or free heating oil, can be used to help people who do not qualify for other financial assistance programs or programs. This is only for people in the Windsor CT area, and dial (860) 986-3221.
Water bill assistance is also arranged by the government. A payment plan can provide qualified customers with a cash grant that can be applied towards their outstanding water bills or to turn service back on. Funding is very limited, and only a small number of Connecticut families will be able to benefit from this emergency program. Find more information on Connecticut water bill assistance.
Help for winter heating costs are arranged by non-profits and the government Some of the options available during the winter include payment plans, government grant money, and assistance from a local energy company. In addition, a local town or social service office may also offer help to disabled people or the elderly in an emergency. More details on winter heating bill help in CT.
Connecticut utility company payment plans and electric bill help
Connecticut Natural Gas has a wide range of assistance programs for low-income families, seniors and the disabled. They also offer gas bill relief to people facing a hardship. Programs include free home Insulation and Weatherization. This is combined with a free home energy audit to identify savings. There is also a Matching Payment Plan to help people pay offer past due bills in less time.
CNG also offers low income customers several other payment plans and financial assistance programs. They range from outreach to applications for government assistance, including CEAP / LIHEAP and weatherization. Budgeting programs may also be offered to CNG customers. There are also details on grant money for people facing a hardship, such as loss of or reduction of income. Call 860.524.8361 or 203.869.6900. More on Connecticut Natural Gas assistance programs.
Connecticut Water Company covers most of the state. Qualified low income customers may receive grants from the H2O – Help to Our Customers program. Or the company is willing to explore payment plans and other solutions with families. Last, but not least, people with bad credit or a low income can get help to reconnect their water too. Read more on Connecticut Water Company.
Eversource (formerly Connecticut Light and Power) offers a wide range of emergency assistance programs to help people keep their utilities on as well as longer term support. As one of the states (and region’s) largest companies, they help ensure the low-income and vulnerable are able to stay warm during the winter and cool during the summer,
- Matching Payment Plan will combine free money from Eversource with payment from a customer, and the funds will help pay off arrears much quicker. NUSTART is a similar program, and it can pay off past due light and power bills in a matter of months.
- Seasonal utility help is arranged by Eversource. The Winter Protection Program can be an option to keep the electricity on during the November to May timeframe. A focus is on people that get government assistance such as SSI, Medicaid, food stamps or other benefits. They also help arrange, when possible free air conditioners for senior citizens and people with infants during the summer.
 In addition to the programs listed above, they offer several other financial assistance resources as well as free energy conservation to low income customers. The utility company is willing to work with people to find a solution to an unpaid energy bill. Dial 800-662-7764, or learn more on financial help from Eversource.
Southern Connecticut Company – This utility company runs its own version of the Matching Payment Plan. The matching grant program helps qualified low to moderate income customers by matching half of any energy bill paid by you or on your behalf through an energy assistance plan. To learn more or to apply for help call 800.659.8299.
Southern Connecticut Gas helps in other ways as well. They are involved in federal and state resources such as Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and Operation Fuel. Or customers and seniors can explore hardship status for their utility accounts or budget payment plans. Customer service representatives from SCG will work with households in its service territory explore solutions. Click Southern Connecticut Gas programs.
United Illuminating Company, or UI, offers a payment arrangement plan that can help qualified low income and customers who are facing a financial hardship pay past due electric and energy bills. This is also an option known as UI HELPS, which is for those customers on a limited income such as seniors over the age of 60 or people on SSI or SSDI. This will offer free energy saving products for a home or apartment, such as insulation, AC units, or a repair to a furnace or HVAC unit.
There are other emergency assistance programs. They include a utility bill Forgiveness Program, referrals to charity aid, CEAP grant money and more. Several other emergency financial assistance programs and resources are offered by UI. Call 1-800.722.5584, or find more United Illuminating Company financial assistance programs.
Find more places that help pay utilities in CT
The federal government, partnering with the state DCF, offers referrals and assistance too. HUD has Connecticut offices for utility help information on grants, disconnection prevention programs and more. Or try the Coalition to End Homeless at (860) 721-7876 for additional emergency energy assistance.
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