West Hartford residents may be eligible for Eversource’s Balance Forgiveness Programs or a payment plan.

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Are there programs available for low-income eligible customers?

Yes. Eversource offers programs for low-income residential customers that can help reduce or eliminate past-due balances. The Matching Payment and New Start programs are described below.

How do I know if I qualify for low-income programs?

To learn about Eversource or state-funded program qualifications, visit Eversource.com/BillHelp or call your local Community Action Agency (CAA) to determine income-eligibility requirements. You can find your local agency by texting CTWARM to 898211. After texting your ZIP code, you will receive information on the nearest agency. You can also dial 211, or visit www.211ct.org.

Matching Payment Program

The Matching Payment Program (MPP) is available to all residential income-eligible heating customers. To enroll in the MPP, contact Eversource or visit your local CAA who will assist you in signing up for Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) funds and MPP. Eversource will match CEAP amounts and all required payments made to your account down to a zero balance. The arrangement determines one monthly fixed payment, which is calculated by the total utility charges over the past 12 months – minus any energy assistance award.

To be eligible for the MPP, you must meet any of the following state CEAP requirements:

• Your household income is at or below 60% of the state median income.
• You receive public income assistance, such as aid to the blind, elderly, disabled, families with dependent children, SNAP, Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income.
• You or a member of your household is seriously ill as certified by a physician.
• Your sole source of financial support is from Social Security, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or Unemployment Compensation Benefits.
• You are the head of your household and unemployed and your household income is less than 300% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

What if I can’t pay the arranged Matching Payment amount?

Your CAA will provide you with a monthly payment amount. If you can’t afford the payment amount, tell your CAA and request a below budget worksheet to have your payment amount reduced down to $75 for those who qualify.

New Start Program

Residential, low-income electric customers with a balance of at least $100 past due by more than 60 days may be eligible for the New Start Program, to have your outstanding balance eliminated in as little as 12 months. When you make your scheduled New Start monthly payment, a portion of your past-due balance is eliminated or “forgiven,” reducing the amount you owe. Eversource customers who have a medical hardship status on their account are eligible for New Start regardless of their income. You may be eligible for medical hardship status on your account if you or anyone in your home is seriously ill or has a life-threatening situation.

Payment Plan

If you are late on your Eversource bill payments, or you have a past-due balance on your account, we can help you develop a payment plan. All residential customers can enter into an Eversource payment plan. A payment plan determines your monthly payment amount based on your 12-month usage history.

Contact Eversource

You can learn more about our payment programs online at www.Eversource.com/BillHelp. Call Eversource at 800-286-2828 if you have questions about our programs.

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