BERLIN, Conn. –– April 19, 2012 –– Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) and Yankee Gas are reminding customers who may be having difficulty paying their electric or natural gas bills that now is the time to pick up the phone and sign up for programs that can assist them.
"The last thing we want to do is disconnect service to a customer," said Sharon Eberman, director of Customer Experience Operations for CL&P and Yankee Gas. "All it takes to sign up for a program is a phone call. We have a variety of programs and services available to assist customers and now is the time to contact us."
Programs available to CL&P and Yankee Gas customers are:
This program allows limited-income customers with past-due balances to work out monthly payment arrangements so their service is provided year-round. Customers must heat with electricity to qualify for the CL&P Matching Payment Program or heat with natural gas to qualify for the Yankee Gas Matching Payment Program. In addition, a customer's total household income will be considered. They must apply for and be granted energy assistance funds and must make and keep a monthly payment arrangement. CL&P and Yankee Gas customers who maintain eligibility under the Matching Payment Program will see an additional reduction in their past-due amount for every dollar paid. Customers who successfully complete the program will also receive a match on their energy assistance reward, up to a zero balance.
- Winter Protection Program
The Winter Protection program protects qualified, income-eligible customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from November 1 to May 1. 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.
CL&P customers who want more information about the Winter Protection and Matching Payment programs should call 800-286-2828. Yankee Gas customers should call 800-438-2278.
CL&P and Yankee Gas offer Budget Billing. The program helps customers manage expenses by equalizing monthly bills based on annual energy usage history. Budget Billing helps avoid seasonal peaks associated with heating and cooling months. Accounts are reviewed monthly and budgeted amounts are adjusted if necessary.
To sign up for CL&P's Budget Billing program, call 800-286-2000 or visitwww.cl-p.com. To sign up for the Yankee Gas Budget Billing program, call 800-989-0900 or visit www.yankeegas.com.
The NUSTART Program helps limited-income CL&P customers maintain year-round electric service. Customers can reduce and eliminate past-due balances if they pay their monthly budget amount on time, each month.
To learn more about the NUSTART program, call 800-286-2828.
- State Energy Assistance Programs
Limited-income customers may also qualify for state administered programs, including the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) or the Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP). There are also programs such as Operation Fuel that assist customers who are not eligible for state or federal assistance.
Call 211 to learn more about these.
Yankee Gas is Connecticut's largest natural gas distribution company, delivering clean, efficient, safe and reliable natural gas to more than 205,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. Yankee Gas is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.yankeegas.com.