UI, SCG to Host Enrollment Event to Help Customers Pay Their Energy Bills 

Qualifying customers are encouraged to attend Thursday’s event in Ansonia to enroll in assistance programs ahead of November’s Heating Assistance Awareness Month 

 

ORANGE, CT — October 14, 2025 — Today, United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc., announced they will hold an event on Thursday, October 16 in Ansonia to enroll qualifying customers in payment assistance programs. Representatives from UI and SCG will be on-site to help Connecticut families manage their monthly utility bills ahead of Heating Assistance Awareness Month, observed from November 1 to November 30. To determine eligibility and enroll in available assistance programs, customers should bring with them benefits program and household income documentation. 

 

“As the weather is starting to cool and the daylight becomes shorter, we are committed to helping our customers manage their energy bills, including taking advantage of payment assistance to lessen the financial burden,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI and SCG. “Community events like these give our customers the opportunity to connect with us in-person to learn about programs they may qualify for. We are looking forward to meeting members of our community in Ansonia this week to help our customers and provide them with the tools and resources we offer to reduce their monthly bill.” 

 

This event will take place at the Ansonia Senior Center (65 Main Street, Ansonia, CT 06401) on Thursday, October 16 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Representatives of UI and SCG, as well as your Community Action Agency, will be on-site to answer questions and help customers enroll in-person for assistance programs. Attendees will also learn about how home energy solutions can increase the energy efficiency of homes for additional savings.  

 

“We have customers struggling financially who may not be aware that we offer protection from service disconnection and other programs to help pay their monthly bills, and we are working to change that,” said Tracey Pelella, Vice President of Customer Service at UI and SCG. “Education and promotion of this wide range of programs is the first step to getting help for our customers. Those who meet state income requirements are able to protect their households from service shutoff during the coldest months. Regardless of financial status, all customers can benefit from our energy efficiency programs to save more money. We hope to provide this education and connect with our customers at this next enrollment event to get everyone on a path to affordability.”  

 

Assistance programs include: 

 

• Winter Protection Program: For eligible customers, 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, beginning in October. 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.