Eversource assistance programs in Massachusetts.
Find financial assistance, payment plans, discounts and more for Eversource bills in Massachusetts. The utility provider helps low income families, the elderly or disabled, seniors and others keep their heat, lights and power on. Eversource customers (formerly NSTAR) can also get grant money from LIHEAP as well as free energy conservation measures, including from weatherization.
Struggling families can explore the various emergency or long term financial assistance and discount programs that are provided by the energy company listed below. Resources can help low income, seniors, disabled, veterans, single moms and other customers facing a hardship pay their monthly electric, heating and gas bills.
Free Eversource energy conservation plans and discounts
Eversource Discount Rate – Aid is offered for low income customers. Discounts are usually targeted at people who receive government assistance, such as LIHEAP. Other people who qualify for fuel assistance may also receive a discounted rate. The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance receives information from Eversource to help determine and enroll Discount Rate customers in the program.
If someone does receive a discount rate, then they may also be qualified for the Energy Efficiency Program for Lower Income Customers. This can provide some energy saving information and resources.
Free energy conservation is available to Eversource customer from weatherization. Community action agencies partner with energy providers and the federal government on this program. It can provide extra insulation, furnace repairs, and much more to lower income households, with a focus on older, less effieicnt properties.
65 Plus and Double Notice Protection - This service is offered for any households with a member who is 65 years of age or older. Senior citizens customers will not be able to receive a final notice on their electric bill. The program will also provide customers with an option to allow Eversource to notify a friend or relative about overdue bills.
Financial help for Eversource utility bills and payment plans
A number of Financial Assistance Programs are provided to Massachusetts customers who are having difficulty in paying their utility bills. Special programs are provided, some in combination with state and federal government agencies, to help people who need assistance. Eversource may also have some payment plans for customers who are faced with a short term hardship.
Eversource New Start can help low income and/or struggling customers eliminate a back, unpaid utility bill. It is effective at eliminating the balance of the account for a household in Massachusetts, which is in effect a clean state. It requires payments as well.
Eversource Arrearage Management Program – This is a service that is offered for customers who are experiencing difficulties in paying their utility bills. An applicant’s income needs to fall within 60 percent of the State Median Income level. The NSTAR's Arrearage Management Program provides some options and opportunities in addressing older, unpaid gas bills. Dial 866-315-2496
The Fuel Assistance Program can provide cash benefits or grants for paying gas and utility bills. Another benefit is that most clients of the Fuel Assistance program will also qualify for discounts and savings on their gas, telephone, electric, and water bills. To apply for fuel assistance, which is also the LIHEAP program, please contact the Community Action Program nearest you for advice and more information.
A number of Payment Plans may be offered by Eversource (NSTAR) to qualified lower income customers as well. Eversource can work with people who are faced with a hardship and try to help them spread out payments on overdue portions of their monthly utility bill. You can even setup a Payment Plan online if you have a past due balance on your bills.
The benefit of choosing this online option is that the company will issue customers with an automatic order to reconnect their utility service if it has been shut off for non-payment, and a customer does not even need to speak to a representative. A down payment more than likely will be required for any payment plans.
Eversource customers in Massachusetts can even contact the Salvation Army to apply to or learn about the Good Neighbor Energy Fund. This assistance program is administered by the Salvation Army and grants and money can help qualified customers with paying for their monthly energy and utility bills. The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is funded by donations from utility customers and cash from utility companies themselves, and Eversource contributes too.
The financial aid is focused on people who are faced with a financial hardship or who are faced with a crisis and who do not qualify for other forms of fuel assistance. The Salvation Army and this fund have provided energy bill assistance to hundreds-of-thousands of residents in a temporary crisis who are struggling to pay their bills. The non-profit raises money across Massachusetts, and the funds are then paid out to income qualified families, including the elderly. You will need to apply to the Salvation Army in your area in order to see if qualified and to get help.
Applying for financial assistance or payment plans from Eversource in MA
Eastern Massachusetts customers can dial 866-861-6225, while the customer service number is 877-963-2632 for Western Massachusetts.
|
