New Hampshire electric assistance program

People in New Hampshire pay a monthly surcharge on their utility bills. This surcharge goes to fund this utility bill assistance program. Over the last ten months, more than $10 million has been provided to help people in need. Almost 30,000 families have been assisted. However, it is estimated that about 10,000 more people on still on a waiting list and need assistance.

As an example of how this program works, Southern New Hampshire Services is an organization that helps manage this and other utility-assistance programs in Hillsborough County New Hampshire. They have provided about $20,000 to help people pay their utility and heating bills just last month. Southern New Hampshire Services is often able to arrange payment plans between homeowners and the utility companies.

As a standard proactive, utility company employees and government officials will always urge people to call and work out payment schedules with their energy provider. Even utility companies have a goal to not disconnect anyone. They want t work with people.

Some tips to follow if you receive a disconnect notice:

-Immediately contact your utility company: You should let them know your situation, explain your hardship, and negotiate or work out a payment plan to keep your electric service on.

-You may contact the Salvation Army or any of the other dozens of social-service agencies or charities for help with utilities or any other needs for that matter. For example, you may be able to get help from a food pantry that will free up more dollars for you to pay your energy bills.

-Also, feel free to apply at your local community-action agency for grants and/or financial assistance. You can find more info at the the Public Utilities Commission's Office of Consumer Advocate. They provide a large amount of contact information for local community action agencies in New Hampshire.