Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR)
NEW Low-Income Discount Rate
At UI, we strive to provide you and your family with reliable and essential energy delivery, with several programs to assist financially with your bill.
We are now pre-enrolling for our new two-tiered Low-Income Discount (LIDR). This rate is designed to help eligible residential customers facing financial hardhip manage rising energy costs. LIDR is scheduled to begin with the December 2023 bill cycle.
If you qualify, you'll receive a 10% (Tier 1) or 50% (Tier 2) discount on your current monthly charges.
Your new discounted rate will stay in place for a period of one (1) year from the effective date. Eligibility verification is required every year. You will receive a letter that it is time to reverify your eligibility sixty (60) days prior to the end of the one (1) year period.
For more information, please download the Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) Fact Sheet.
Qualifying for Financial Hardship and the LIDR
Eligibility and tier placement is determined by total household size and income and/or participation in an eligible benefits program by at least one member of your household. Eligibility will need to be verified yearly.
To verify your eligibility, please submit proof of income for all adults over 18 years of age in your household or a letter certifying that at least one member of your household participates in an eligible benefits program.
Proof of income includes:
- Unemployment
- Employed (weekly last pay stub, biweekly last 2 paystubs, monthly last paystub)
- Self-employed (most recent year 1099 Tax Form)
- Social Security
- Child support, pension, retirement, or other
Income Guidelines (Total household)
| Tier 1 (10% discount) (up to 60% State Median Income) |
Tier 2 (50% discount) (up to 160% Federal Poverty Guidelines) |
|
| Household size | Annual income at or below | Annual income at or below |
| 1 | $41,553 | $23,328 |
| 2 | $54,338 | $31,552 |
| 3 | $67,124 | $39,776 |
| 4 | $79,910 | $48,000 |
| 5 | $92,695 | $56,224 |
| 6 | $105,481 | $64,448 |
| 7 | $107,878 | $72,672 |
| 8 | $110,275 | $80,896 |
Eligible Benefits Programs (At least one person)
| Tier 1 (up to 60% State Median Income) | |
| CHIP; HUSKY B | State HUSKY B |
| Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) |
Section 8 Housing; Rental Assistance |
| Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP levels 2 and 3) | |
| Tier 2 (up to 160% Federal Poverty Guidelines) | |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) |
| State Administered General Assistance (SAGA) | DSS State Cash Assistance, State Supplement |
| Women, Infants and Children (WIC) | State HUSKY A |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance |
| Medicaid or Access Health; HUSKY A, C, D | Head Start |
| Financial Support from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Connecticut free or reduced lunch program |
| Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP level 1) | Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) |
How to apply for the LIDR
Applying for LIDR is easy. Simply submit proof of income for all adults over 18 years of age in your household or a letter certifying that at least one member of your household participates in an eligible benefits program.
Documentation should include your account number and can be sent securely by:
- Contacting your local Community Action Agency
- Visit 211ct.org or call 211.
- Emailing: hardship@uinet.com
- Faxing: 866.260.1009
- Mailing to the address below:
United Illuminating
MS OP 1D
100 Marsh Hill Rd.
Orange, CT 06477
Please allow thirty (30) days from receipt of documentation for review of your eligibility. You will receive a letter once our review is complete.
Additional Assistance is Available
Even if you do not qualify for LIDR, there may be more programs available to assist you with lowering your energy costs. For more information on our other assistance programs, please visit uinet.com/helpwithbill or contact us at 800.722.5584, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.