Eversource: Will Delay Shut Off Of CT Customers For Nonpayment

CONNECTICUT — Eversource has announced it will not actively move forward with collections activity such as disconnections for residential customers when the state's moratorium expires on Oct. 1.

The power company said Wednesday it will work with state regulators and other stakeholders to evaluate when disconnections for nonpayment should resume.

The moratorium had been called by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in May, a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The power company made the announcement on the same day that utilities Aquarion, United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas all announced they would be commencing shut-off proceedings for customer nonpayment once the moratorium lifted in next month.

Eversource is also continuing to offer a special COVID-19 Payment Program for all residential customers and enhancing assistance for low-income customers, the company said in a news release.

"Extending the moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment gives customers breathing room during this uncertain time, and we will continue to suspend all residential customer disconnects as well as waive late payment charges beyond the moratorium’s expiration in October," said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief
Customer Officer Penni Conner. "If you are having difficulty paying your utility bill, we encourage you to contact us even if you’ve never done so before. We can work one-on-one with you to identify plans or options to help – including the special COVID-19 Payment Program."

COVID-19 Payment Program

The COVID-19 Payment Program is available to any residential customer who requests financial assistance during the pandemic and enrolls before Nov. 1, 2020.

• Customers can pay past-due balances in flexible payment plans for up to 24 months.
• No down payment, fees or interest will be charged through the end of the payment plan.
• Once an active payment arrangement has been arranged, the account will be protected from service disconnection for the duration of the payment plan – regardless of the status of the state’s moratorium on electric service disconnections.

Low-income Assistance Programs

Additionally, Eversource is enhancing assistance for low-income customers through a number of additional programs:

• The energy company is proactively working with customers through a special arrearage forgiveness process approved by PURA to apply all deposits paid by delinquent customers to their arrearage.
• Low-income heating customers can take advantage of a specialized matching payment program with payments as low as $75.
• The New Start program, which forgives overdue balances as current bill payments are made, is available to qualifying customers, and former participants can now re-enroll without having to make a "good faith payment."

Customers can learn more about payment programs and enroll online at Eversource.com or by contacting Eversource at 1-800-286-2828.

Energy Efficiency Solutions

With residential energy use increasing during the pandemic, Eversource is reminding customers to take advantage of its energy efficiency solutions to help reduce their energy costs. With many people continuing to work from home and many students returning to remote learning this fall, there are many energy efficiency options available to customers, including the Home Energy Solutions home energy improvement service as well as generous energy efficiency rebates and incentives.

Information on the energy efficiency solutions is available at www.energizect.com.

Business Programs

In addition to the protections extended and special programs available to residential customers during the pandemic, Eversource is similarly offering support to its business customers. Business customers can also take advantage of flexible payment arrangements, energy efficiency solutions and the special arrearage forgiveness process. The energy company has not begun disconnection activity for business customers even though the state’s moratorium on disconnections for businesses expired on Aug. 1 and will work with state regulators and other
stakeholders to evaluate when disconnections for nonpayment will resume.