Help paying utility bills in Connecticut

Connecticut hardship status comes first

In Connecticut, much of your protection depends on being coded as a hardship customer with your electric or gas company. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) explains that you can qualify by receiving local, state or federal aid, such as the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or unemployment benefits, or by having income at or below 60% of state median income. This applies to customers of Eversource, Yankee Gas, United Illuminating (UI), Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas. Call your utility, ask for hardship status and send the proof it requests. PURA adds that a hardship customer may sign with an outside electric supplier only at a rate no higher than the standard service rate.

The Winter Protection Period

Connecticut's statutory Winter Protection Period runs from November 1 through May 1. PURA explains that shutoff protection applies to customers who are hardship designated and enrolled in a payment program, and renewal requires updated documents each October, so mark your calendar. The protection does not erase what you owe, and the balance keeps growing if nothing is paid. That is why the Matching Payment Program matters. It helps hardship customers have their payments and energy assistance awards matched to reduce past-due balances, and PURA says taking part gives year-round shutoff protection as long as the agreed payments are made. Since November 1, 2024, the Matching Payment Program is also the route for new arrearage forgiveness enrollment.

Notice rules and medical protection

Under section 16-3-100 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a monthly bill becomes delinquent more than 33 days after it is mailed, and a utility cannot terminate service until 13 days after it sends notice by first-class mail. The regulation also bars terminations for nonpayment on Fridays, weekends, state or federal holidays, the day before a holiday and the last hour before offices close. PURA describes medical protection for a household with someone who has a serious illness or a life-threatening condition. It requires a physician's certification, must be renewed each year, and protects service during the Winter Protection Period and at all times in life-threatening cases. Ask your utility for its medical certification form as soon as a notice arrives.

Payment plans, forgiveness and the discount rate

PURA says all customers can use flexible payment plans that spread a past-due balance over 18 months, and accounts kept in good standing with on-time payments are protected from shutoff. The state regulation also requires a utility to offer an amortization agreement, its term for a payment plan, before terminating residential gas or electric service. Connecticut has a Low-Income Discount Rate for electric bills as well. Customers who receive certain state benefits are enrolled automatically at the 10% level, and a higher discount requires contacting your utility to qualify. Eversource's New Start and UI's Balance Forgiveness Program stopped taking new enrollments on October 31, 2024, so ask about the Matching Payment Program if forgiveness is your goal.

Applying for CEAP

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) runs CEAP with local community action agencies. It helps pay home heating costs, and benefits for the 2026 to 2027 season range from $355 to $705 depending on household size, income and heating source, usually paid straight to your utility or fuel vendor. Applications opened September 1, 2026, and the deadline is May 31, 2027. Apply online through the Client Online portal, or through your community action agency by phone, email, mail or in person; paper and emailed applications must be signed. Households qualify through SNAP, TANF, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other listed benefits, or with income at or below 60% of state median income. CEAP households may also get added fuel deliveries and heating equipment repairs.

Complaints to PURA and water bills

Contact your utility first and keep the reference number from each call. If the problem is not solved, PURA's Customer Affairs Resolution Center accepts complaints through the File a Complaint form on its website, by email or by phone on weekdays. Send one complaint through one channel, since PURA asks customers not to file duplicates through different routes. Under the state regulation, a customer whose dispute is not resolved by the company's own review can ask for an investigation and a hearing. Water service is a separate question. PURA posts a water bill payment assistance sheet, and many towns run their own water and sewer systems with their own rules, so ask your water provider directly.

How Settlemont fits with Connecticut protections

Hardship status and the Matching Payment Program protect your service, but they still leave a balance to pay down. Settlemont, a for-profit bill payment technology company, offers one more way to chip away at a verified Utility bill. The private form asks only for first name, email, state, bill category, amount and due date, with no account number. You receive a one-time private access code, identify the utility separately, and staff verify the utility, you and the current balance before approval. Your public page lists your first name, Connecticut, Utility and the verified amount, nothing more. Supporters cover a 7% card or 5% bank service fee on top, the support goes directly to the utility, and you never pay Settlemont. Keep making your matching payments, since approval is no guarantee.

Sources

• Connecticut PURA: Payment Assistance Programs
• Connecticut PURA: Customer Affairs
• Connecticut Heating Help: Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
• Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies 16-3-100: Termination of utility service (regulation text)

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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