Eversource Suspending CT Power Shutoffs Amid Coronavirus Spike

CONNECTICUT — With the vast majority of Connecticut towns in red alert status and experts forecasting "continued increases through the holiday season," Eversource Energy officials Friday announced the utility is suspending "disconnect activities" for customer nonpayment.

"With COVID-19 surging and the holidays approaching, suspending electric service disconnections for our customers is a step that will make a big difference during the holiday season," Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations Jessica Cain said. "At the same time, we remain focused on working individually with our customers to help them reduce their energy use, enroll in one of our flexible payment programs or connect with other options to help. We'll continue working with our regulators, elected officials and other stakeholders as the pandemic persists to evaluate next steps for resuming collections activities in an appropriate timeframe."

Eversource offers payment arrangements that include a special coronavirus payment program through which customers can pay past-due balances in flexible payment plans for up to 24 months. Once an active payment arrangement has been arranged, the account will be protected from service disconnection for the duration of the payment plan, officials said. Enrollment has been extended to Feb. 9, they added.

Residential customers facing financial or medical hardship may also qualify for extended protection from service disconnection through the winter months, as well as programs to reduce their balance and assistance paying energy or heating bills this winter, officials said.

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More information is available at Eversource.com/BillHelp or by calling our Customer Service team at 800-286-2828.