COVID-19 Utility Bill Moratorium Ending July 1. City of Cambridge continues efforts to help residents prevent utility shut offs


6/28/2021 • 3 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.

As of July 1, 2021, the utility moratorium put in place by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic will end. Utility customers who have an overdue balance on their natural gas or electric account, may potentially have their service disconnected after July 1. These customers should also receive a notification about this directly from Eversource.

Utility customers can prevent a potential shut-off of their electricity and gas by taking action. If you are having trouble paying your bill, help is available - even if you have never needed assistance before and even if you are currently working. Enrollment in an Eversource payment plan could prevent a service disconnection when they resume.

For those who are low income qualified, there are special programs to help. First, be sure you are enrolled in the Discount Rate through Eversource. Eligible customers may qualify for a 36% (electric) or a 25% (natural gas) discount on monthly bills. Also, sign up for Eversource’s New Start program, which forgives overdue balances as on-time monthly payments are made.

All customers, regardless of income, can enroll in a payment plan to pay a past-due balance over a period of up to 12 months. There is also protection available if you have a medical condition and a financial hardship, have a baby under 1, or if everyone in your household is over 65 and a minor resides in the home.

Visit Eversource.com/BillHelp or call Eversource at 866-861-6225 to find the best program or option.

Massachusetts has utility and rent assistance resources available to help residents pay these bills. The Cambridge Multiservice Center can also help with a wide variety of housing-related issues. For more information, call 617-349-6340.

Additionally, the City of Cambridge has partnered with All In Energy, a local nonprofit with a mission to accelerate an inclusive clean energy economy, to help you connect to a wide variety of energy-related resources. All In Energy staff can help you access the resources listed above, understand your utility bills, protect yourself from third-party energy suppliers, and connect residents and small businesses to energy efficiency programs, renewable energy options, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.

For more assistance navigating these programs, contact the City of Cambridge’s Utility Bill Helpline with nonprofit partner All In Energy at 617-430-6230 or cambridgehelp@allinenergy.org.