Press Releases
10/06/2016
UI, SCG & CNG Offer Guidance on Energy Assistance Process
UI, SCG & CNG Offer Guidance on Energy Assistance Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, CT — Oct. 6, 2016 — United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas — the Connecticut operating companies of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) — are offering guidance to help state residents navigate the process for applying for Energy Assistance and maintaining service during the cold weather months.
The companies have released two new videos to help customers understand the process to qualify for Energy Assistance and Winter Protection. Qualifying for Energy Assistance is a necessary first step to become eligible for certain programs the companies offer to help customers pay their bills and maintain their service.
The videos are available on YouTube and are being distributed to Connecticut Community Action Agencies, which oversee distribution of Energy Assistance dollars and can work with customers to determine their eligibility for the program.
“We understand how important it is for customers and their families to be able to maintain reliable electric and gas service, particularly during the winter months,” said Bill Reis, Vice President of Customer Care for the energy companies. “That’s why we offer a variety of programs to help customers pay their bills, avoid unexpected high bills, and maintain gas and electric service.”
Customers seeking assistance should start by calling their local Community Action Agency directly, or by calling Infoline at 211 to find the Connecticut Community Action Agency that serves their town or city. These organizations can determine whether customers meet income and other criteria to be eligible for Energy Assistance. Once eligibility is confirmed, customers can contact their energy company to enroll in assistance programs, such as matching payment plans.
Winter service protection, which prevents shut-off during the cold weather months, is available from Nov. 1 through May 1. It is available for electric and gas heating customers who qualify for Energy Assistance, and for some electric customers who qualify for Energy Assistance or meet certain other criteria.
Those customers who don’t meet the eligibility criteria for Energy Assistance should contact their energy company to learn about other options available to them, such as payment arrangements and budget billing, which averages bill payments across the year so they can avoid high bills during heating months. AVANGRID’s energy companies also offer programs that can help customers reduce energy costs and usage.
Watch the Videos:
- Keep the Heat: Matching Payment Plans (gas and electric customers)
- UI Winter Assistance (electric only)
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About AVANGRID
AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed by a merger between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visitwww.avangrid.com.
Media Contact:
Michael A. West, Jr.
Michael.West@avangrid.com
203.499.3858
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $44 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
About Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
