The Eversource Hardship Program provides a 10% or 50% discount on electricity bills for eligible low-income customers in Connecticut, depending on their household income.
To qualify for the Hardship Program's bill discounts, customers must have a household income at or below 60% of the state median income level.
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Eversource estimates that over 200,000 Connecticut households are eligible for the Hardship Program's discounted rates, providing significant relief during periods of high energy costs.
In addition to bill discounts, the Hardship Program also offers flexible payment plans, allowing customers to spread out outstanding balances over an extended period.
Eversource partners with various community organizations to connect Hardship Program participants with additional resources, such as energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization assistance.
The Hardship Program's bill discounts are funded through a small surcharge on all Eversource customer bills, ensuring the program's sustainability and equitable distribution of support.
Customers enrolled in the Hardship Program are protected from service shutoffs during the winter months, providing critical safeguards for vulnerable households.
Eversource's Hardship Program is overseen by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), which ensures the program's eligibility criteria and discount levels are aligned with the state's energy assistance policies.
The Hardship Program's bill discounts are automatically applied to eligible customers' accounts, eliminating the need for them to navigate complex application processes.
Eversource regularly reviews and updates the Hardship Program's income eligibility thresholds to keep pace with changes in the state's median household income levels.
Customers who have experienced a recent job loss, medical emergency, or other financial hardship can quickly enroll in the Hardship Program to receive immediate bill relief.
The Hardship Program's flexible payment plans allow customers to catch up on past-due balances without the threat of service disconnection, helping them maintain reliable electricity access.
Eversource collaborates with the state's network of Community Action Agencies to provide comprehensive energy assistance, including enrollment in the Hardship Program and access to weatherization services.
The Hardship Program's bill discounts are calculated as a percentage of a customer's total monthly electricity charges, ensuring the level of support scales with their energy usage.
Customers enrolled in the Hardship Program are also eligible for additional state and federal energy assistance programs, further amplifying the financial relief available to low-income households.
Eversource's Hardship Program is considered a model for utility-led energy assistance initiatives in the region, with other providers often looking to it for best practices.
The program's income eligibility thresholds are adjusted annually to account for changes in the federal poverty guidelines, ensuring the discounts remain accessible to those most in need.
Eversource's Hardship Program is deeply integrated with the state's broader energy assistance efforts, allowing for seamless coordination and referrals between various support services.
The Hardship Program's bill discounts are automatically renewed each year, providing customers with long-term stability and predictability in their energy costs.
Eversource actively promotes the Hardship Program through targeted outreach campaigns and partnerships with community organizations, ensuring eligible customers are aware of the available assistance.