Energy Assistance
The federally-funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is designed to help low-income households pay their winter heating bills. CEAP is not meant to pay total heating costs. Households must plan to pay a part of the bill themselves. Yet with the help of CEAP, households may secure fuel service deliveries and defray their utility heating costs. For those whose heat is included in their rent, an annual one-time financial assistance is available in the form of a check.
For eligible households, the winter heating assistance pays for such heating sources as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal and wood. Individuals and families qualify for CEAP based on their gross annual income and household size. Any household with a gross annual income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines which has also provided all required documentation is deemed eligible for this program. To see if you qualify, click here.
Applications are accepted at our office from mid-August through the beginning of March for deliverable fuel (oil, propane gas, wood pellets) and from November 1st through April for non-deliverable fuel (gas and electric). For more information, call our office 860-628-3761.
In order to apply for assistance, you must bring in the required information. Click here for a list of required information and call our office to make an appointment.
Emergency Energy Assistance
Southington Community Services has funds available to assist Southington residents experiencing difficult times with paying for essential utilities (heat, electricity and water). These funds are available solely through donations from the United Way of Southington, the Salvation Army, the Calvanese Foundation, individuals, groups and businesses.
This program is to provide funds for emergency needs for deliverable fuel, energy bills, assistance to lower your bill through programs run by the utility companies and to assist during a financial crisis, such as a job loss or a medical emergency.
All payments are made directly to the vendors. The primary goal is to ultimately remedy people’s payment difficulties by negotiating and creating workable payment plans with the utility company or fuel provider.
Applications are accepted at any time during the year. Call Community Services at 860-628-3761 to make an appointment.
You will need the following at your appointment:
- Proof of residency
- Proof of current income for every adult in the household
- All complete current bank statements
Southington Community Services can also assist you in getting on New Start, Matching Payment Plan and/or the Winter Protection Plan.
Programs Available Through Eversource
NEW START:
This program is designed to help low and fixed-income Eversource customers maintain year-wound electric service. Through New Start, customers can reduce and even eliminate their past-due balance if they pay an agreed-upon budgeted amount on time, each month. The New Start program is designed to give a fresh start to qualified Eversource customers. Your budgeted amount is based on your usage.
To be eligible you must:
- Have applied for and been granted energy assistance
- Have a past-due balance of $100 or more on an Eversource bill, which is 60 days or more overdue
- Have a gross income at or below 60% of the state median income. Click here to see if you are eligible.
- Have not been dropped from New Start for nonpayment within the past 12 months
- Make all agreed upon budgeted monthly payments on time
This program is for customers that have natural gas as a heating source for their residency. The Matching Payment Program reduces your payments, if you have been approved for “hardship” status.
To be eligible you must:
- Have a gross income at or below 60% of the state median income. Click here to see if you are eligible.
- Not miss a payment during Phase 1 (November 1 through May 1). If a payment is missed, you can make up the payment, but it must be received by May 1st.
- Not miss a payment during Phase 2 (May 2nd through October 31st). If two payments are missed during Phase 2, you will be removed from the program
- Apply from November 1st and May 1st
WINTER PROTECTION PROGRAM:
This program is for customers that can’t pay their utility bills and need to keep their power on from November 1st to May 1st. You are encouraged to pay as much of the bill as possible during the winter months. The Winter Protection Program is renewed each year.
To be eligible you must receive one of the following:
- Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (State Supplement), Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFCC), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or General Assistance
- Sole Source of financial support is Social Security or Veteran’s Administration
- Household income falls at or below 60% of the state median income
- Circumstances threaten deprivation of food and the necessities of life if payment of a delinquent bill is required
- Heating assistance