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• State and Federal Resources to Assist Connecticut Residents with Expected Electricity Cost Increases

State and Federal Resources to Assist Connecticut Residents with Expected Electricity Cost Increases

Electric prices in Connecticut will see an increase in January 2023 for residents, due to supplier rate price increases. 2-1-1 has created this paper to try to assist individuals with investigating ways to try to alleviate their electric and utility costs, by reviewing the following information on programs and services available from state, federal and local programs, that may be able to assist. 

The 2-1-1 Eligibility Navigator interactive tool, can be a good way to generate a list of state and federal programs that individuals may qualify for: 211 Navigator 

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 

Affected families may be eligible for assistance paying their primary heat source bills (electric, gas, oil, propane) from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). To locate a CEAP application site, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org and search the keyword ‘CEAP’ for the zip code/town where you live. Households may also be eligible for heating assistance through: Operation Fuel program. To find a fuel bank in your area to apply for Operation Fuel, when a program is active, dial 2-1-1 or visit http://www.operationfuel.org/get-help/residents/. 

• Billing arrangement to maintain a consistent bill each month – Utility Budget Billing 
• Payment arrangements through utility company if primary source of heat is electricity – Electric Service Payment Assistance (Eversource: Matching Payment Program; United Illuminating: Arrearage Forgiveness for Customers who Heat by Electricity) 
• Payment arrangements through utility company if account is behind – Electric Service Payment Assistance (Eversource: New Start Arrearage Forgiveness Program; United Illuminating: Matching Payment Plan) 

ELECTRIC SHUT OFF PREVENTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 

Individuals may qualify for protections that would prevent a utility company from shutting off the power, regardless of amount behind. Individuals can review the following programs to see if they meet the criteria. These could also apply even if the power has already been shut off. 

• Medical Protection – Utility Disconnection Protection (Year-Round Protection for Life-threatening Situations)
• Winter Protection – Utility Disconnection Protection (Winter Protection / Winter Moratorium) 

POSSIBLE COST-SAVING ALTERNATIVES ON FUTURE ELECTRIC BILLS 

• Identifying alternative energy suppliers – Electric Choice Outreach and Education: www.energizect.com 
• Evaluating the energy efficiency of the home –  

Connecticut Weatherization Assistance Program for CEAP Recipients 

Home Energy Solutions– Income Eligible 

• Identifying other ways to conserve energy (solar, home energy audits) – Connecticut Green Bank – Green Energy, Solar Energy Loans…) 
• Repairing/replacing heating systems – Home Energy Solutions; Low Interest Energy Conservation Loan 

 ADDITIONAL UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 

 Assistance may be available for other utility costs, such as gas, water, and oil, if you qualify for these programs: 

• Assistance to pay for natural gas – Energy Assistance if gas is primary source of heat – enter in zip code or town where you live: Gas Service Payment Assistance 
• Assistance to pay for water bill – enter in zip code or town where you live: Water Service Payment Assistance 
• Billing arrangement to maintain a consistent bill each month through the utility company – Budget Billing 
• Assistance to pay for oil or propane – enter in zip code or town where you live: Heating Fuel Payment Assistance 
• Payment arrangements through utility company if primary source of heat is gas – enter in zip code or town where you live: Gas Service Payment Assistance (Matching Payment Plan) 

 RESOURCES TO ASSIST WITH COMPARING ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS 

•  Visit the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website for “Information for Customers when choosing an Electric Supplier” – Choose a Supplier – Information for Consumers (ct.gov) 
• Compare energy prices at EnergizeCT and sign up with an alternative energy supplier. Click on your utility company, enter your account type, and enter your current monthly usage. The website will give you a list of other suppliers that you can compare to get the best rate. 

 Eversource customers mistakenly enrolled in hardship program, what to do? 

Individuals trying to enroll with a third-party electric supplier and if rejected by the supplier, it could be due to being mistakenly enrolled in the hardship program with Eversource. Individuals can fill out a form to opt out, by calling Eversource or Public Utility Regulatory Agency (PURA) to get a form, and in a matter of days, individuals will be okay to switch to a new supplier. Individuals can also opt out if previously had signed up for the hardship program before, but now wish to switch. 

Eversource recommends you call them to go over the pros and cons before doing so. Individuals can call Eversource at 860-286-2828 and/or Public Utility Regulatory Agency (PURA) at 800-382-4586, for more general information. 

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SOURCES: Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP); Operation Fuel; PURA; CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; EnergizeCT; Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource; United Illuminating
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: December2022