Some primary resources that United Illuminating Company offers to its customers are payment plans, government assistance programs like LIHEAP grants and weatherization, conservation tips, and utility service shut off protection. Most of the financial aid for light, gas, or electric bills is for families who are experiencing a short-term hardship, such as job loss, physical disability, or who live on a low, fixed income. More information about Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs can be found below, as well as how to apply for these programs.
Programs directly from United Illuminating Company
The Matching Payment Program, or MaPP, can provide forgiveness of past balances on utility bills and ensure that people have year-round electric service in certain cases. This resource may be available for qualified low-income electric heating customers who have past-due balances on their accounts. If you think you may qualify, please contact us. You will need to make monthly payments to the company if you want to stay enrolled in the program. You can apply for food stamps by calling your local community action agency or by dialing 1-800-722-5584.
If you are enrolled in the Matching Payment Program and stay current with the terms and conditions, you will receive a reduction in your bills for the past-due amount for every dollar you pay for a current bill. This means that as you pay your standard, ongoing energy bills, United Illuminating will slowly reduce any outstanding balance on your account.
Customers with a serious illness may be eligible for medical hardship. If someone in your household is seriously ill or facing a life-threatening situation, please call 1-800-722-5584. If you have life-support equipment, you should also contact United Illuminating Company so that you can be notified of any planned power outages or upcoming, forecasted severe weather.
The Forgiveness Program was created by the University of Iowa to help students who have experienced financial difficulties. If your household income is at or below the level set by the company, you may be able to get a “fresh start.” This program may be able to help you reduce, or even eliminate, past-due balances on your account if you agree to pay, and stay current with, an agreed-upon budgeted amount. If you stay with United Illuminating, they will agree to match your payments to help pay down your back balance. Call 1-800-722-5584 to see if forgiveness can help your situation.
Operation Fuel can help families in Connecticut pay for winter heating costs and keep the lights on. This means that the service is offered to all customers of United Illuminating who live in Connecticut. The government provides assistance for those who are struggling financially or have experienced an emergency, and who do not qualify for other federal programs or non-profit support.
The Operation Fuel program is offered at locations where you can get fuel assistance. This resource is administered by a private, nonprofit organization. The local agency will be responsible for handling applications for this energy assistance program. This assistance program provides financial help to people who are struggling to pay their energy bills. It is especially helpful for those who are facing an emergency situation. A maximum of $500 can be given to United Illuminating customers through the program.
This program is funded through customer donations, and anyone can donate money at any time. All of the money given will be used to help people and families who receive service from United Illuminating. One hundred percent of donations go to people who need them.
Financial assistance and grants from government services
The State of Connecticut Winter Protection Plan is designed to help customers keep their heating and gas service running during the colder months of fall, winter, and early spring. Arrangements for special payments and fees for late payments will be canceled during this time period.
It is still highly advised that you pay as much of your monthly energy bill as possible during the protection period, even if you qualify for this.
The conditions that need to be met are indicated here. If you get money from the government or Connecticut, you might be able to get help. The forms of government aid that make someone eligible for a free cell phone include income from Social Security, disability benefits, and general assistance programs like food stamps and Medicaid.
There are other types of people who can get help from the state and United Illuminating through the Winter Protection Plan. If you are unemployed and the head of your household, you may qualify if your income is less than three times the poverty guidelines. If you’re in danger of not having food or other necessities because you can’t pay a bill, you may qualify for the moratorium. People who are sick or have a family member who is sick may be able to get help.
The Winter Protection Plan is a program designed to help low-income families pay their energy bills during the winter months. Families can sign up for the program through their local Community Action Agency, or they can call United Illuminating Company for more information and details.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides fuel assistance to eligible households in the state. LIHEAP is a federal program that provides funding to states to help low-income households with their energy bills. If you are working and struggling to make ends meet, United Illuminating may be able to help you pay your bill, with a focus on winter heating costs. This means that people will have to budget to pay for some of their own expenses, as the government will not cover the entirety of everyone’s bills.
If you are a UI customer and rely on electricity for heat during the winter, you may qualify for CEAP. This program provides government grants and funds to help pay part of your winter heating bills. Even if your rent includes your utility bills, you may still be eligible for assistance.
The Community Action Agency will help you apply for the low income energy assistance program on behalf of United Illuminating. You can apply for the grant starting in October, and applications will be processed until all the money has been allocated. If you are in need of social services, please call 1-800-842-1132.
If you sign up for CEAP, you may also be eligible for weatherization, which is a free program that helps conserve energy. Some families that have a low income can get help from their utility company. The company will make upgrades to their home for free. This will help the family save money on their monthly energy bills. The measures to conserve energy, such as insulation, window sealing, and more, are offered at no cost to families who qualify.
The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund provides financial assistance to veterans and members of their household who are residents of Connecticut. If you are a veteran, your spouse, or anyone living with you when you die, you may be able to get help from the government. This means that children who are not yet adults may also be able to get help from this program. If you want to know more about this program and how it can help you with your UI bills, you can call (860) 296-0719.
Contact information for assistance
There are many ways to conserve energy and save money. Call this number for more information.