Utilities Offer Winter Shut-Off Protection Programs

BERLIN –– Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) and Yankee Gas are reminding customers who may have difficulty paying their electric and natural gas bills this winter that now is the time to sign up for programs that can assist them. Now is also the time for customers who are eligible for state administered energy assistance programs to sign up.

“Don’t wait to look into available programs and services,” said Sharon Eberman, director of customer experience operations for CL&P and Yankee Gas. “Now is the time to make the call because the last thing we ever want to do is disconnect service to a customer. We also urge those that may be eligible for state energy assistance funds to sign up as soon as possible. There is less federal funding available and the state programs are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.”

Winter protection programs are available to CL&P and Yankee Gas customers. The programs protect qualified, income-eligible customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from November 1, 2011, to May 1, 2012. Customers must sign up annually for this program –– there is no automatic renewal.

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.