National Grid Extends Winter Utility Bill Moratorium

Submitted by National Grid.

National Grid will once again follow the recommendation of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and extend the period during which “protected” customers will have a little longer to pay their utility bills without interruption in service. State regulations prohibit electric and natural gas companies from suspending service for non-payment from November 15 through March 15, but with the extension now in place through April 16, customers will have an extra month of relief.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities defines protected customers as households with a financial hardship where someone has a serious illness; households with a financial hardship and a child under one year of age; any household with a financial hardship that would be without heat if utility service was shut off; households with a financial hardship in which all adults are 65 years of age or older and a minor child lives in the home; tenants whose landlord is responsible for utilities but does not pay the bills; and households in which everyone is age 65 or older, whether there is a financial hardship or not.

“We recognize the various challenges that our customers face as a result of economic hardships and we want them to know that we understand and will make every effort to help,” said Marcy Reed, president, National Grid Massachusetts.  “National Grid has supported the extension of the winter moratorium for protected customers in the past and we will continue to do so because it’s the right thing to do for our customers.”

Customers who need assistance paying their bills should call 1-800-443-1837 to speak with a National Grid representative about available payment plans.  Customers can also enroll in National Grid’s “Balanced Billing” plan which spreads their total annual utility costs into 12 monthly payments, making it easier on monthly household budgets.  To enroll, visit www.nationagridus.com  and click on the “My Account” link.