UI, CNG, and SCG Kick Off Heating Assistance Awareness Month, Offering Programs to Help Customers Manage Monthly Bills

Companies to host in-person enrollment event Thursday, November 21, from 3-6 PM at Alliance for Community Empowerment in Bridgeport, encouraging qualifying customers to take advantage of available assistance programs 

 

ORANGE, Conn. — November 1, 2024 — In recognition of Heating Assistance Awareness Month, observed from November 1 to November 30, United Illuminating (UI), Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid (NYSE: AGR), will be engaging with  customers, community action agencies, municipal leaders, and other public officials to promote assistance programs to help Connecticut families manage their monthly utility bills.  

“With winter quickly approaching, it’s crucial for our customers to have the information and resources they need to enroll in heating assistance programs,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI, SCG, and CNG. “We play a vital role in our customers’ safety and wellbeing. We want to ensure they can meet with us in-person at our community events, as well as over the phone or online, to get their questions answered and understand which programs they qualify for. This way, they can take advantage of the many programs we offer to help reduce their monthly utility bills. We look forward to continuing our engagement with customers, reminding them of the opportunities available to help them avoid choosing between paying for groceries or their energy bills.” 

Throughout November, customers will receive various communications about the assistance programs offered by UI, CNG, and SCG, including bill messages, emails, newsletters, and social media posts. UI, SCG, and CNG will also host two in-person Customer Enrollment events to help customers manage their monthly energy bills. The first event, for UI and SCG customers, will be on Thursday, November 21, from 3-6 PM at Alliance for Community Empowerment (1070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604). The second event, for CNG customers, will be on Thursday, January 16, at the Human Resources Agency (HRA) of New Britain (180 Clinton Street, New Britain, CT 06053). Customers are reminded to bring their utility bill and any documents supporting their financial status, such as a recent pay stub or proof of enrollment in state or federal assistance programs (e.g., HUSKY, WIC, or Section 8), to enroll in assistance programs in person. 

“We want to reach customers who may not realize they qualify for protection from service disconnection and other programs to help pay their monthly bills,” said Tracey Pellela, Vice President of Customer Service at UI, CNG, and SCG. “We offer a wide range of programs for customers who meet state income requirements to protect their households from service shutoff during the coldest months. Regardless of financial status, every customer can benefit from our energy efficiency programs. There is truly something for everyone. It only takes a few minutes to explore our various programs and discover the many options and resources available throughout the month and year-round.” 

Assistance Available:  

Customers who are experiencing financial difficulties and looking for resources to help them manage their energy bills should visit their utility company’s respective “Help With Bill” page (www.uinet.com/HelpWithBill, www.soconngas.com/HelpWithBill, www.cngcorp.com/HelpWithBill). There, customers can find more information on financial hardship programs and bill assistance, including: 

  • Matching Payment Program – Residential customers can lower the amount you owe on energy bills. For every dollar you pay and every dollar you receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program or other energy assistance programs, we will subtract a dollar from the amount you owe.  

  • Flexible Payment Arrangements – Available to any UI, CNG, or SCG customer, regardless of their income level. These arrangements can be spread out up to 18 months for residential customers and 6 months for non-residential customers. Current payment arrangements may be renegotiated due to a change in financial circumstances per Conn. Agencies Regs. § 16-3-100(b)(3)(A). These arrangements may be discussed confidentially by calling the CNG Customer Care Center at 860-524-8361 (Greater Hartford) or 203-869-6900 (Greenwich), the SCG Customer Care at 800-659-829, or the UI Customer Care Center at 800-722-5584. 

  • Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) (UI only) – Available to UI customers with a financial hardship status on their account. Based on their household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit, customers may be eligible for a 10 percent or 50 percent discount off their electric bill per month. Customers should visit www.uinet.com/LIDR to see if they qualify. 

Regardless of their income level, customers can also visit their respective utility’s “Smart Energy” page (www.uinet.com/SmartEnergy, www.soconngas.com/SmartEnergy, and www.cngcorp.com/SmartEnergy) for resources on energy efficiency programs, including: 

  • Home Energy Solutions (HES) / Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) – Available to all Connecticut utility customers and administered by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, HES and HES-IE are weatherization programs designed to help customers reduce their energy usage and increase the sustainability of their home or business. The Income Eligible program, which offers additional incentives and cost-savings measures, is specifically designed to help customers with limited income or financial need manage their utility usage and save money on their bill. 

  • Heating and Cooling System Rebates – Available to all Connecticut customers, utility companies provide rebates and instant discounts for a variety of high-efficiency heating and/or cooling systems, including ductless air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, and high-efficiency heating systems. 

Media Contact: 

Marina Bach 

Marina.bach@avangrid.com 

203.859.0883 

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