UI, CNG, SCG Highlight Heating Assistance Programs to Help Customers Prepare for Winter

Companies to host in-person customer enrollment event on Thursday, November 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Alliance for Community Empowerment in Bridgeport 

 

ORANGE, Conn. — November 4, 2026 — United Illuminating (UI), Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) are recognizing November as Heating Assistance Awareness Month by reminding customers about programs available to help manage energy bills and provide support during the winter heating season. 

 

“Every family deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their home during the winter, and we want our customers to know support is available,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of UI, CNG, and SCG. “We are focused on promoting our payment assistance, flexible payment options and winter shutoff protections so that help reaches those who need it. Our team is ready to help identify options that may make your monthly bills more manageable.” 

 

As colder weather arrives, customers experiencing financial difficulty may qualify for payment assistance, bill discounts or protection from service shutoff. Other programs, including flexible payment arrangements, are available regardless of income. Throughout November, UI, SCG and CNG will share information about assistance programs and resources available to customers. Customers are encouraged to explore their options as early as possible and contact their utility if they are having difficulty paying their energy bills. 

 

“Customers should not wait until they fall further behind to ask for help,” said Willa Hightower, Vice President of Customer Service at UI, CNG, and SCG. “Whether someone needs protection from a winter shutoff or help managing their bills, we encourage them to contact us or attend our next in-person enrollment event and learn about the resources that may be available to their household.” 

 

The next customer enrollment event will be on Thursday, November 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Alliance for Community Empowerment (1070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604). Representatives from UI and SCG and the Alliance for Community Empowerment will be on site to meet with customers in person, answer questions, and help those who qualify to enroll in assistance programs. 

 

Programs available to eligible customers include: 

  • Winter Protection Program: Available to all residential customers who qualify. Eligible customers will not have their service turned off between November 1 and May 1. 
  • Matching Payment Program: Available to residential customers, this program is designed to help lower energy bills for those who can demonstrate financial hardship. The companies will match every dollar paid by customers or on their behalf, up to a zero balance. 
  • Flexible Payment Arrangements: Available to all residential customers, regardless of financial status. Customers can pay past-due balances over a period of up to 18 months. Current payment arrangements may be renegotiated due to a change in financial circumstances per Conn. Agencies Regs. § 16-3-100(b)(3)(A). 
  • Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR): Qualifying UI customers may receive a discount between 5 to 50 percent on their monthly electric bill based on household income or participation in qualifying public assistance programs. SCG and CNG offer LIDR with a single-tier system, providing a 10 percent discount for qualifying customers.  

 

Customers experiencing financial difficulty can learn more about available assistance and eligibility requirements through their utility's Help With Bill page: Help With Your Bill - UI, Help With Bill - SCG, Help With Bill - CNG. 

 

Media Contact: 

Angela Baccaro 
angela.baccaro@avangrid.com   
(203) 836-0874