Help paying your electric bill in Connecticut
Connecticut got $90.2 million in the HHS table, about $64 for each of its 1,420,170 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-855-626-6632. Heating help reached 102,166 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Connecticut
- Connecticut LIHEAP public line1-855-626-6632
- State program sitect.gov/staywarm
- Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority800-382-4586 · portal.ct.gov/pura · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
How heavy is the energy bill in Connecticut?
10.1% of income in low-income households, 2.9% overall. Ranking, Connecticut prices.
| Group | Count | Connecticut detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 425,028 households | 10.1% of income; $2,502 a year on $24,730 | rank 13 of 51 |
| All households | 1,409,807 households | 2.9%; $3,578 on $121,943 | rank 10 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 149,756 households | 10.5% of 1,420,170 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 40 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 29.38 ¢/kWh | bill $207 a month at 705 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVWhere Connecticut's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Northwest Hills Planning Region 11.7% (13,059 households); Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 11.1% (58,036 households); Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region 10.8% (11,300 households); Western Connecticut Planning Region 10.5% (55,189 households).
- Most low-income households: Capitol Planning Region 119,060 (10.0%); South Central Connecticut Planning Region 73,751 (9.1%); Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 58,036 (11.1%).
9 counties.
Connecticut in numbers
- Connecticut ranks 4th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($64), 40th on households below the poverty line (10.5%) and 13th on low-income energy burden (10.1%).
- Per household below the poverty line (149,756 of them) the FY26 funds come to $602, rank 5th of 51: 24% of a typical year's electricity ($2,488). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 92,180 households got help in FY2022 against 425,028 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 22% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $997, 40% of that year.
- Heating season: November 1 - June 17. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $52 (New York) to $61 (Rhode Island); low-income burden from 8.4% (New York) to 8.9% (Rhode Island). Connecticut: $64 and 10.1%.
LIHEAP in Connecticut: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Connecticut | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $90,222,435 = $76,696,375 + $3,933,466 IIJA + $9,592,594 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Crisis, & Weatherization: 60% State Median Income | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $75 minimum; $645 maximum Crisis: $425 maximum Weatherization: $15,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 102,166 Winter Crisis: 30,199 Weatherization: 749 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 1 - June 17 Winter Crisis: November 1 - June 17 Weatherization: November 1 - September 30 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Connecticut?
Connecticut sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $93,760.
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Connecticut
Connecticut: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - May 1 |
| Health or age needs | "A person or any resident of the person's home who is seriously ill, as certified by a registered physician[...], or has a life threatening situation[...] "Life threatening situation" means a condition certified by a registered physician that would endanger... |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites https://eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/Browse/RCSA/Title_16Subtitle_16-3Section_16-3-100/.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100 (Termination of utility service). Connecticut regulation bars termination of residential electric or gas service in hardship cases from Nov 1 to Apr 15, and while a resident has a physician-certified serious illness or life-threatening condition. Utilities must send 13 days first-class notice and offer an amortization agreement first. No Friday, weekend or pre-holiday terminations. Quote: “terminate or refuse to reinstate, from November 1st to April 15th, inclusive, residential electric or gas service in hardship cases”. Source: text of the rule (state official (CT eRegulations portal, Secretary of the State)).
| Point | Connecticut: Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100 (Termination of utility service) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | From Nov 1 to Apr 15 inclusive, utility may not terminate or refuse to reinstate residential electric or gas service in hardship cases (income-based or circumstance-based definition, incl. public assistance, income under 125% poverty, serious illness). Also before Nov 1 to Apr 15 termination the company must give customer rights notice in person or by certified mail. No temperature trigger found. |
| Heat | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Who is protected | Serious illness or life-threatening situation certified by a registered physician: no termination while certificate valid (certified by phone ok, form returned within 7 days; certificate must be given within 13 days of mailing of termination notice; renew every 15 days if no length stated). Customer must enter amortization agreement and keep current (except life-threatening, and hardship Nov 1 to Apr 15). |
| Notice | No termination earlier than 13 days after notice mailed first-class to customer (and designated third party); no termination on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holidays or day before a holiday, or within one hour of office closing. Notice must state grounds, conditions to prevent termination, date, restoration conditions, and rights explanation. Delinquent after 33 days unpaid (monthly billers). |
| Payment plan | 16-3-100(b)(3)(A): residential gas or electric customer must first be offered a reasonable amortization agreement; simple interest up to 6% per year if charged; review officer process if no agreement. |
| Who the rule covers | 16-3-100(a)(16): utility company means any gas, electric or water company within DPUC jurisdiction and any municipal utility furnishing electric, gas or water; for municipal utilities it applies to residential nonpayment termination. Co-ops not addressed in text read. |
| Complaints | If customer disagrees with utility review officer, written report gives the DPUC Consumer Assistance and Information Division toll-free number and right to appeal within 5 days for informal investigation, then formal complaint. No termination during appeal. Regulator is named DPUC in this old text (now PURA); phone not read this session. |
Did not read Conn. Gen. Stat. 16-262c or newer statutes, which may add or change protections, nor the page notes saying the portal text was last updated 03/08/2015; no PURA phone read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Utility and state bill programs in Connecticut
- Eversource Discount Rate Resident customers may be eligible for a discounted rate if their income meets eligibility requirements and participate in programs such as LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, etc. For additional information or...
- Connecticut Natural Gas Matching Payment Plan In order to qualify for the program, the customer needs to be of a hardship status, and MUST: 1. Contact CNG to qualify for hardship status. 2. Apply for and receive energy assistance. 3. Pay monthly payment...
- Matching Payment Plan – This program helps low-income customers maintain year-round service and pay down delinquent balances by company-matched dollars. A payment arrangement plan helps qualified hardship customers pay past due...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Citizens Energy, Connecticut Natural Gas, Eversource, Southern Connecticut Company, United Illuminating Company.
Next to Connecticut
Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island. Most FY26 funds per household: Rhode Island, $61. Connecticut: $64. All 51.
Connecticut on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Connecticut
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority sets rules).
- Call 1-855-626-6632 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, 800-382-4586.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Connecticut?
Call 1-855-626-6632. Site: www.ct.gov/staywarm
Can Connecticut utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat. November 1 - May 1
How big is the energy burden in Connecticut?
10.1% of income for low-income households, 2.9% for all; $2,502 a year for the first group.
How many Connecticut households got energy help?
92,180 in FY2022, 102,166 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $997.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Connecticut bill?
$602 per poor household, 24% of $2,488.
How much LIHEAP money does Connecticut get?
$90.2 million in FY2026, $64 per household, rank 4 of 51.
What income limit does Connecticut use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $93,760; FY2022 heating standard 283% for four.