Eversource To End Moratorium On Service Disconnections

CONNECTICUT — Eversource is alerting customers that the moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment will end for non-hardship residential customers in Connecticut on Sept. 15.

The energy company suspended disconnection activities at the onset of the pandemic nearly a year and a half ago and the moratorium on service disconnection for residential customers identified as having a financial hardship remains in place.

The company has advised customers who need help with their bill to contact them about payment assistance options and protections from service disconnection.

"The last thing we want to do is disconnect anyone’s service, but the fact is unpaid energy bills increase costs for all customers," said Eversource vice president of Customer Operations, Jess Cain. "Any customer, residential or non-residential, who is having trouble paying their bill should contact us immediately so we can work with them and get them enrolled in one of the many programs we offer. Participating in a payment plan or assistance program will prevent you from being disconnected."

According to Eversource, its Connecticut residential customers are using, on average, up to 35 percent more electricity during the summer months, it is particularly important that customers are aware of Eversource’s various payment assistance options.

Customers who face disconnection will receive multiple letters in the mail from Eversource letting them know that their service is scheduled to be shut off for non-payment and steps they should take to avoid disconnection. The energy company is reminding customers it will never call threatening to shut off power and demanding immediate payment.

Eversource payment plans and programs available to help and prevent service disconnection include:

• The Matching Payment Program, for electric or gas heating customers, which offers monthly payments as low as $50. Enrollment for the upcoming heating season begins Nov. 1.
• The New Start program, for electric customers, which forgives overdue balances as on-time monthly budget payments are made.
• Winter Protection, which provides protection from disconnection from November to May.
• Energy Assistance, which provides payments toward a customer’s heating bill.
• The COVID-19 Payment Plan, which all Eversource customers – regardless of financial need, residential and non-residential – are eligible to sign-up for to pay a past-due balance over a period of up to 24 months with no interest charges and no down payment. Enrollment is open through Sept. 30, or when the State of Connecticut’s public health and civil preparedness emergency ends.

Additional help for overdue bills may be available from Operation Fuel and Unite CT, which provides eligible renters up to $1,500 of past due electric expenses and past or future rent expenses.

To help customers learn more about the payment options and assistance programs available, Eversource is hosting a free webinar Friday, Sept. 10 at noon. Energy company representatives will outline steps customers can take to prevent service disconnection after the moratorium on those activities expires for non-hardship residential customers on Sept. 15, 2021. Customers must register ahead of time to attend the free session and can do so online.