State Appropriated Fuel Assistance Program (SAFA)
The State General Assembly provides an annual appropriation of state funds for energy assistance benefits to elderly and/or disabled households with incomes between 151-200% of poverty guidelines. These and additional state funds provided by the General Assembly supplement the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
1-800-842-1132
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
A systems benefits charge (SBC) imposed on customers of the state's two investor-owned utilities – Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating – pays for some low-income programs. SBC-funded arrearage, uncollectibles, and hardship programs for both utilities amounted to about $7.2 million in 2004.
All gas public service companies are required by statute to operate an arrearage forgiveness program for gas heating customers. Arrearages are forgiven if customer makes regular payments. Eligibility criteria include: arrears of $100 or more that are 60+ days overdue, income of less than 200% FPG, and have had at least $25 paid toward bill by LIHEAP (or other assistance program). Electric utilities have voluntary arrearage forgiveness as part of budget programs.
Connecticut Light and Power
NUSTART
Customers can reduce or eliminate their past-due balance if they pay an agreed-upon budgeted amount on time, each month. Eligibility: arrears of $100 or more that are 60+ days overdue, income of less than 200% FPG, and have had at least $25 paid toward bill by LIHEAP (or other assistance program).
1-800-286-5844
www.cl-p.com/online/residential/financial/nustart.asp
Matching Payment Plan
Customers who maintain eligibility under the Matching Payment Program will see an additional reduction in their past-due amount for every dollar paid to CL&P. For more information, call 1-800-286-2828 or 860-947-2828 in the Hartford and Meriden calling areas. www.cl-p.com/online/residential/financial/incomeassist.asp
Winter Protection Program
Protects hardship customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from Nov. 1 to May 1. To qualify, a customer's total household income will be considered. Additional criteria that may also qualify a customer for Winter Protection can include aid to the blind, elderly and disabled, temporary family assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a serious or life-threatening illness in the household. Customers still receive their bills and should try to pay what they can each month to avoid a larger balance due when the protection period ends.
1-
800-286-2828
Connecticut Natural Gas
Matching Payment Plan
Customers who qualify for matching funds may see an additional $2 reduction in their gas bill for every dollar paid to the Company. Customers must receive energy assistance in order to be eligible.
Info Line at 211
860-727-3555
Southern Connecticut Company
Matching Payment Plan
Customers who qualify for matching funds may see an additional $2 reduction in their gas bill for every dollar paid to the Company. Customers must receive energy assistance in order to be eligible.
Info Line at 211
203-334-8866 Bridgeport area
203-786-6222 New Haven area
MaPP
A payment arrangement plan helps qualified hardship customers pay past due electric bills. Under MaPP, if payments are current, a past due balance can be "forgiven" over time.
Forgiveness Program
Residential customers covered by the Winter Protection Program and who heat by electricity may qualify. UI will work with the customer to develop a monthly budget agreement. If the customer keeps that agreement, UI will match the customer's payments.
Yankee Gas
Matching Payment Program
For customers who make and keep a payment arrangement and receive LIHEAP, Yankee Gas will deduct from their bill an amount equal to the money they have paid and the amount received from LIHEAP, up to zero balance.
1-800-438-2278 www.yankeegas.com/HomeCustomer/matching.asp
Winter Protection Program
Protects hardship customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from Nov. 1 to May 1. To qualify, a customer's total household income will be considered. Additional criteria that may also qualify a customer for Winter Protection can include aid to the blind, elderly and disabled, temporary family assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a serious or life-threatening illness in the household. Customers still receive their bills and should try to pay what they can each month to avoid a larger balance due when the protection period ends.
1-
800-438-2278
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The mandated system benefits charge (SBC) for energy efficiency is assessed on all electricity sold by the state's two investor-owned electric utilities. The fund is used for programs affecting all customer classes. Of this amount, Connecticut Light and Power Company and United Illuminating Company are spent about $1.8 million in 2004 on low-income energy efficiency, mostly though community action agencies.
Connecticut Light and Power
Low-Income Weatherization Residential Assistance Program (WRAP)
Free for eligible customers who use more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. Households with an income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level qualify. An application is available online or call
1-
800-388-9727. www.cl-p.com/online/residential/specialneeds/energycons.asp
Connecticut Natural Gas
Energy Audit
On site energy audits are performed to provide recommendations of energy conservation measures. Each audit includes a review of the dwellings energy consumption pattern, air infiltration characteristics, the number of inhabitants and other variables affecting energy consumption. There is no charge for qualified/identified hardship customers.
Call the Community Renewal Team at 1-860-560-5354.
www.cngcorp.com/YourHome/EnergyConservation/EnergyAudits.html
Insulation and Weatherization
Professional weatherization and insulation services provided at no cost to qualified hardship customers who reside in 1-4 family dwellings. Conservation measures include caulking, weather stripping, pipe wrap and insulation. Call WRAP at 1-800-388-9727. www.cngcorp.com/YourHome/EnergyConservation/CaresProgram.html
United Illuminating Co.
UI HELPS
For customers on a limited income, UI Helps program can provide energy-saving products for your home, free of charge. These include water heater blankets, low-flow shower heads and energy-efficient lights. Customers with electrically heated homes may qualify for additional services.
1-877-947-3873 www.uinet.com/uinet/connect/UINet/
Yankee Gas
WRAP
Customers with household income at or below 60% of the state median income may be eligible for free insulation and other energy saving measures.
1-
800-388-9727
www.yankeegas.com/HomeCustomer/wrap.asp
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Operation Fuel
Operation Fuel is a private, non-profit program that provides emergency help with energy or utility bills for people who are not eligible for CEAP or SAFA. Connecticut's legislature passed a law requiring all of the state's gas and electric utilities with at least 75,000 customers to facilitate the collection of donations for Operation Fuel. In most instances, eligible families have incomes at 151 to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Operation Fuel's network of 61 fuel banks www.operationfuel.org
Warm Up Fund
Community donations provide funds for fuel assistance in Westport and Weston.
Weston 203-226-9178
Westport 203-227-1743
The Windsor Fuel Bank
Additional fuel assistance is available through The Windsor Fuel Bank for CL&P and Connecticut Natural Gas customers. Donations are made to the Windsor Community Service Council and can be used to help people who do not qualify for other assistance programs. socialservices@townofwindsorct.com
