UI, SCG Partner With United Way to Offer In-Person Support at New Haven Resource Fair
Customers are invited to attend Thursday’s event in New Haven to learn about and enroll in assistance programs to help with their winter bills
ORANGE, Conn. — February 10, 2026 — Today, United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc., announced they are holding a customer enrollment event on Thursday, February 12 from 3-6 p.m. in New Haven at the United Way of Greater New Haven. Qualifying customers will have the opportunity to enroll in various payment assistance programs. Representatives from UI and SCG will be on-site to help the community manage their utility bills, especially during recent extreme cold temperatures. To determine eligibility and enroll in available assistance programs, customers should bring with them benefits program and household income documentation.
“We understand that some customers may face financial challenges, especially when it comes to managing energy costs during the winter,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI and SCG. “At UI and SCG, we are committed to doing what we can to support customers through these cold months, and all year long. These events provide an opportunity for customers to seek assistance in-person and enroll in programs they may qualify for. We look forward to meeting with customers in New Haven this week and encourage anyone who may need support to stop by and learn more about the programs available.”
This event will be part of a larger resource fair that will take place at the United Way of Greater New Haven (370 James St, New Haven, CT 06513) on Thursday, February 12 from 3-6 p.m. Representatives of UI and SCG, as well as the Community Action Agency of New Haven Inc., will be on-site to answer questions and help customers enroll in-person for assistance programs. Attendees will also learn about how Energize CT’s Home Energy Solutions program can increase the energy efficiency of homes for additional savings.
“As temperatures drop and energy usage rises, we want customers to know they are not alone,” said Tracey Pelella, Vice President of Customer Service at UI and SCG. “Our teams are out in the community to provide in‑person support, answer questions, and help families enroll in programs that can lower bills, offer payment flexibility, and keep their service protected. We encourage anyone who may need assistance to stop by and take advantage of the resources available.”
Assistance programs include:
Winter Protection Program: For eligible customers who qualify for financial hardship, UI and SCG will not turn off their electricity or gas between November 1 and May 1. The Winter Protection Plan must be renewed annually. To prevent your service from being shut off after May 1, contact UI or SCG to set up a payment arrangement.
Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR): The low-income discount rate, available for UI customers only, can help lower qualifying customers' electric bills by offering a 10% (Tier 1) or 50% (Tier 2) discount on their monthly charges. For example, a customer whose monthly charges totaled $100 would receive a $10 or $50 discount on each monthly bill.
Matching Payment Program (MPP): Available to residential customers, this program is designed to help lower energy bills for those who can demonstrate financial hardship. UI and SCG 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).
For more information on assistance programs offered, visit UI Help With Bill for UI and SCG Help With Bill for SCG.
About SCG: The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1847, SCG operates approximately 2,500 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines, serving approximately 206,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.soconngas.com.
About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit www.uinet.com.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 23 states with approximately $48 billion in assets, and has two primary lines of business: networks and power. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Through its power generation business, Avangrid owns and operates 80 energy generation facilities across the United States producing 10.5 GW of power for over 3.1 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens in 2025 for the fifth consecutive year. The company was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2025 for the seventh consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com.