Hartford Eversource Bill Help 2026–27: Hardship Status, Winter Protection, the Discount Rate and Matching Payments
If you live in Hartford and your Eversource bill is past due, the most important thing to know is that almost every Connecticut utility protection starts with one label on your account: financial hardship status. Once your account is coded as hardship, you can get winter shutoff protection from November 1 through May 1, a discount of 5% to 50% on your electric bill, and the Matching Payment Program, which takes a dollar off your past-due balance for every dollar you pay.
This guide explains how to get hardship status in Hartford, how the 2026–27 Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) fits in, and where to get help in person. A note on utilities: in Hartford, electricity comes from Eversource. UI (United Illuminating) serves the New Haven and Bridgeport areas, not Hartford, so if you are reading this from those cities the programs are similar but the phone numbers and discount tiers differ. Gas in Hartford is commonly provided by Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG); check the name on your gas bill.
Step 1: Apply for CEAP First (2026–27 Season Is Open)
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps pay home heating costs. For the 2026–27 season, according to the Connecticut Department of Social Services:
Applications opened September 1, 2026, online and in person.
Benefits range from $355 to $705 depending on household size, income and heating source.
Benefits are usually paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor.
The deadline is May 31, 2027. Mailed applications must be postmarked by that date.
CEAP is annual. You must apply again every year.
A CEAP award does more than pay part of your bill. It is one of the benefits that can qualify your account for hardship status, and the Matching Payment Program matches CEAP dollars too, so the award counts twice against your past-due balance.
Hartford income limits (2026–27, from Community Renewal Team):
| Household size | Annual income up to | |---|---| | 1 | $48,714 | | 2 | $63,703 | | 3 | $78,692 | | 4 | $93,681 | | 5 | $108,669 | | 6 | $123,658 |
How to apply in Hartford: Community Renewal Team (CRT) is the Community Action Agency for Hartford.
Call CRT at (860) 560-5800 to schedule an in-person or phone interview.
In person: CRT Energy Assistance, 395 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. October through May), or 330 Market Street, Hartford.
Email: crtenergyapplication@crtct.org, or mail to CRT Energy Assistance, 395 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114.
Online, any time: ct.gov/heatinghelp.
Step 2: Get Financial Hardship Status on Your Eversource Account
Hardship status is what unlocks the protections below. According to Eversource and the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), you may qualify if any of these apply:
Someone in the household receives a public assistance benefit such as SSI, Medicaid/HUSKY, SNAP, TANF, State Supplement, or unemployment benefits.
Your only income is Social Security or VA benefits.
Your household income is below 60% of the state median income.
You receive heating assistance (CEAP).
Paying a past-due bill would leave you without food, clothing, shelter, medical care or heat.
How to send proof to Eversource:
Ask CRT to help when you apply for CEAP.
Upload documents after signing in to your Eversource account.
Mail: Eversource, Attn: Credit Dept., P.O. Box 270, Hartford, CT 06141.
Fax: 866-438-6476.
Call: 800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (Eversource gas).
You will need proof of a benefit for one household member, or proof of income for every adult 18 and over. Hardship status has to be renewed every year. PURA says updated documents are typically submitted in October, so now is the time.
Step 3: Winter Protection (November 1 – May 1)
With hardship status, Connecticut law protects your gas or electric service from shutoff from November 1 through May 1, and Eversource says there are no late payment charges during that time.
The catch: winter protection is not forgiveness. The full balance is still owed when the protection period ends. Eversource encourages customers to keep paying as much as they can. If you only pay part of your bill all winter, the balance will be larger in May. That is why the Matching Payment Program (Step 5) is often the better choice.
Step 4: The Electric Discount Rate (5% to 50%)
Since June 2025, Eversource's Connecticut Low Income Discount Rate has five tiers: 5%, 15%, 20%, 40% or 50% off your monthly electric bill. Your tier depends on household income or the type of public benefit you receive. The old 10% tier was eliminated.
Key details:
You need financial hardship status on the electric account.
The discount applies to a set amount of monthly use: up to the first 800 kWh for non-heating customers and 1,200 kWh for electric-heat customers.
Eligibility must be verified every year.
If you think you are in the wrong tier, call Eversource at 800-286-2828.
Example from the town of Westbrook's guide: a $100 monthly bill would drop by $15 with a 15% discount or by $50 with the 50% discount.
Step 5: The Matching Payment Program
The Matching Payment Program (MPP) replaced Eversource's New Start program for new enrollments starting November 1, 2024. It works like this: for every dollar you pay and every dollar you receive from CEAP, Eversource subtracts a dollar from what you owe.
Eversource's own example: if you owe $500, make your $50 monthly MPP payment, and receive $100 from CEAP that month, your past-due balance drops by $150.
To qualify:
You are a current Eversource residential electric or gas customer.
Household income at or below 60% of state median income.
A past-due balance of $100 or more that is 60 days past due.
You make your required monthly payment on time every month.
PURA says MPP participation provides year-round shutoff protection as long as you make the payments. After finishing MPP, you cannot newly enroll again for at least one year.
To enroll: call Eversource at 800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (gas), or ask CRT when you apply for CEAP.
Step 6: Payment Plans and Emergency Grants
Payment plans. Eversource offers payment plans that can spread a past-due balance over up to 18 months for residential customers, and plans can be renegotiated if your finances change.
Generation Power CT (formerly Operation Fuel). This nonprofit gives emergency energy grants of up to $500, once per 12 months, to households at or below 75% of state median income. It only accepts applications during set windows. For 2026–27:
Cycle 2: December 1–15, 2026 (decisions emailed by February 12, 2027)
Cycle 3: March 1–15, 2027 (decisions by May 14, 2027)
Call (860) 243-2345, weekdays 9 a.m. to noon, or email applications@gpct.org. Cycle 1 (September 1–15, 2026) has already closed.
211. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org for other local help, including emergency assistance after hours.
Hartford Eversource Checklist
Apply for CEAP through CRT at (860) 560-5800 or ct.gov/heatinghelp.
Send Eversource proof of a benefit or income to get hardship status, and renew it every year.
Ask Eversource which discount tier you qualify for.
If you are 60+ days behind on $100 or more, ask to enroll in the Matching Payment Program.
Mark December 1–15 on your calendar for a Generation Power CT grant.
Keep paying what you can during winter protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Eversource shut off my power in winter in Connecticut?
Not if your account has financial hardship status. Hardship accounts are protected from November 1 through May 1. Without hardship status, protection is not automatic, so apply now.
How much is CEAP for 2026–27?
Between $355 and $705, depending on household size, income and heating source. Apply by May 31, 2027.
What is the Eversource discount rate?
A 5%, 15%, 20%, 40% or 50% discount on your monthly electric bill for hardship customers, based on income or benefits.
Does the Matching Payment Program forgive my balance?
It reduces it. Each dollar you pay, and each CEAP dollar, is matched against your past-due balance, as long as you pay on time.
I live in New Haven. Does this apply to me?
UI customers have similar hardship, winter protection and matching programs, but UI's discount rate has two tiers (10% or 50%). Call UI at 800-722-5584.
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