Financial Assistance, Payments Plans Available For Those Struggling To Pay Utility Bills - 27 East

Residence

Residence / 1698060

Financial Assistance, Payments Plans Available For Those Struggling To Pay Utility Bills

authorStaff Writer on May 4, 2020

As many households have lost one or two incomes due to furloughs and layoffs related to the COVID-19 crisis, residential electricity use is up. Lights and electronics are turned on for more hours per day as children are out of school and adults are working from home or out of work altogether. With increased utility bills and less money coming in, many households on Long Island are feeling the crunch. But relief is available.

Financial assistance programs are available to those who are struggling to pay their electricity and heating bills. Income-eligible households can receive help from both federally funded and PSEG Long Island-sponsored programs.

PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program provides a credit on electric bills for customers who receive benefits from a federally funded program such as Medicaid, SNAP and Supplemental Security Income. Customers may be eligible to receive a monthly credit of $25 or more on energy bills, according to PSEG.

The utility’s Residential Energy Affordability Partnership, or REAP, helps residential ratepayers who meet certain income guidelines lower energy costs by finding energy-saving opportunities. A REAP technician conducts a free home energy assessment and provides the customer with ways to reduce energy consumption, such as using LED light bulbs. If the customer is eligible, the technician may also replace inefficient appliances with Energy Star models, at no cost to the customer. REAP has suspended the in-home visits during the COVID-19 crisis, but applications are being accepted to schedule visits when restrictions are lifted.

The Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, open for enrollment through June 30, is for help heating homes in winter. The federally funded program also offers an emergency benefit for those who have received a final termination notice on their bill; the benefit is also available through June.

Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered in March that utilities cannot shut off customers’ power, heat or water during the coronavirus emergency. However, customers who do not pay their bills will not have their debts forgiven and will have to catch up on their utility payments eventually.

“No one will lose their water because of this pandemic,” Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Patrick Halpin said Monday. “Water will continue to flow.”

Mr. Halpin said people have enough on their minds to worry about — they don’t have to worry about their water being shut off. “No shut-offs, period, whether it is COVID-related or anything else,” he added.

Fines and penalties for unpaid water bills are being waived, and SCWA is prepared to set up extended payment plans for those who are struggling to pay.

The typical SCWA charge, for a homeowner using 160,000 gallons of water annually, is $450 per year, billed quarterly, Mr. Halpin said.

Those who wish to be put on a payment plan should call SCWA customer service at 631-698-9500.

For more information on PSEG Long Island financial assistance programs, visit psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance. For more information on HEAP and federal programs, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. For more information on energy and money-saving programs and tips, visit psegliny.com/efficiency.

You May Also Like:

Plant Pathogens

We started the gardening season with wet conditions. For plant diseases, “wet” and “humid” are ... 8 Jul 2025 by Andrew Messinger

A Miner Mystery

It was late April when they started to appear. In several areas around the Southampton ... by Lisa Daffy

‘Darlene Liebman Opens the Doors to Her Family’s Nostalgic Seaside East Hampton Residence.’

Tristan Dyer: Talk to me about the history of your East Hampton home and what ... by Tristan Dyer

Landcraft Garden Foundation Opens Gates for a Special Visit on July 12

On Saturday, July 12, the Landcraft Garden Foundation in Mattituck invites the public to explore ... by Staff Writer

The July Ramble

Once upon a time long, long ago I took a graduate course at Southampton College ... 7 Jul 2025 by Andrew Messinger

Hampton Designer Showhouse Kicks Off July 19

The Hampton Designer Showhouse will return to Southampton this summer to benefit Stony Brook Southampton ... 1 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Holiday House Hamptons Opens With White Party on July 12

Holiday House Hamptons will return to the South Fork on Saturday, July 12, for its ... by Staff Writer

East Hampton Art & Design Days Runs July 11-13

The inaugural East Hampton Art & Design Days, running July 11 to 13, will present a lecture series at Guild Hall on Sunday, July 13, featuring interior designers and landscape designers in conversation. The day will begin with a book-signing hour, followed at noon by Aerin Lauder in conversation with David Netto about her new book, “Living With Flowers,” which explores the role of florals in “interior design, inspired living, and timeless style.” “Designing Iconic Interiors and Architecture” begins at 1:15 p.m., with panelists Brian Sawyer, David Kleinberg and Victoria Hagan moderated by Jacqueline Terrebonne of Galerie. The designers will ... by Staff Writer

Marders Hosting Garden Talks Series Covering Range of Garden-Related Topics

Marders, a nursery and garden center in Bridgehampton, is hosting the Garden Talks series, covering a variety of topics relating to garden maintenance and caring for plants. These talks take place on Sunday mornings at Marders at 120 Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and are free to attend. Paige Patterson, a plant ambassador at Marders, has been running talks for over 10 years. The talks grew out of Patterson receiving questions relating to misconceptions about plants, as well as other aspects of gardening that she was unaware of when she first started. “I never ... by Dan Stark

East Hampton Historical Society To Host 19th Annual Antiques & Design Show Benefit

The East Hampton Historical Society is hosting its 19th annual Antiques & Design Show Benefit ... 30 Jun 2025 by Dan Stark