Customers of Eversource, Yankee Gas, UI, SCG, and CNG who meet income eligibility requirements or receive specific government benefits can request financial hardship protection. This designation enables access to payment arrangements (summarized below) and provides statutory shut-off protection from November 1 through May 1 (known as the Winter Protection Period). Customers may have to submit updated eligibility documentation annually. Please contact your utility for more information. Criteria include:

• Receiving local, state, or federal assistance (e.g., CEAP, SNAP, TANF, unemployment benefits)
• Income at or below 60% of the State Median Income - Customers with financial hardship or medical protection can contract with an electric supplier at a rate no higher than the standard service rate. Inform suppliers of your hardship status to ensure compliance with statutory guidelines. Visit EnergizeCT for competitive rates.
• Eversource Bill Assistance and Fact Sheet
• UI/CNG/SCG Bill Help Website 

Eligible customers may receive a monthly discount on their electric bill. Auto-enrollment at the 10% level is available for those receiving certain state benefits, but customers must contact their utility to qualify for a higher discount.

• Discount Rate | Eversource
• Low-Income Discount Rate - UI

Customers with hardship or medical protection are protected from shut-off from November 1 through May 1 through the statutorily-mandated Winter Protection Period, though payments are encouraged to avoid a larger balance at the end of the period. Annual renewal is required by submitting updated documentation in October.

• Eversource Winter Protection Plan
• UI/CNG/SCG Help with Bill

CEAP assists low-income customers with winter heating bills through direct payments. Benefit amounts vary based on household factors and vulnerability. Customers apply annually via their local Community Action Agency (CAA).

• DSS Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
• How to Apply

MPP helps hardship-designated electric and gas customers by matching payments and energy assistance awards (as relevant) to help clear past due balances. Participation provides year-round shut-off protection as long as designated payments are made.

• Eversource Matching Payment Program
• UI/CNG/SCG Matching Payment Program

Available to income-eligible residential customers with past due balances, New Start forgives balances over 12 months for on-time payments. All new program enrollments ended on October 31, 2024. Starting November 1, 2024, the new Matching Payment Program (MPP) will be the vehicle for arrearage forgiveness program enrollment moving forward.

• Eversource New Start

• UI Bill Forgiveness Program

All customers can access flexible payment plans to manage past due balances over an 18-month period. Accounts in good standing with on-time payments are protected from shut-off. 

• Eversource Flexible Payment Arrangement
• UI Flexible Payment Arrangement

For households with someone facing a serious illness or life-threatening condition, medical protection prevents service termination. This designation, renewed annually, protects service during the Winter Protection Period and at all times for life-threatening cases. Customers must submit a physician’s certification.

• Eversource Billing Rights
• UI/CNG/SCG Medical Protection

1-800-286-2828 (electric)

1-800-438-2278 (gas)