UNIONDALE, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PSEG Long
Island encourages customers struggling with their utility bills to
take advantage of a limited-time New York
State program that provides eligible households with up to
$10,000 to cover outstanding
balances.
The program is only available while funding lasts, and customers
can get started by calling PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0025 to
receive more information about this state-run program, attest to
any financial hardships caused by the pandemic, and develop
individualized payment agreements.
New York State announced the
"regular arrears supplement" last month to help low-income
households that have fallen behind on their utility bills during
the COVID-19 pandemic. Secured through the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 and administered by the New York
State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the
regular arrears supplement is available to households who are
eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and behind
on their heating utility bills, but that do not qualify for the
utility assistance offered by New
York's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. More information
is also available at
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#regular-arrears-supplement-benefit.
"Throughout the pandemic, we have remained committed to
assisting customers during these difficult times, and this is a
huge opportunity that we want to make sure they know about," said
Rick Walden, vice president of
Customer Services, PSEG Long Island. "The unusual circumstances
have prompted the state to provide a level of utility relief we
have not seen before, and it will only last until the existing
funds are allocated."
Protections available for households that experienced change
in financial circumstances
In March
2020, PSEG Long Island suspended all service terminations
for non-payment and continued this protection throughout the
governor's COVID-19 State of Emergency, which has now ended.
Residential and certain small business customers may be entitled to
additional protections if the State of Emergency caused a change in
financial circumstances, including non-termination of electric
service for non-payment until Dec. 21,
2021, or a deferred payment agreement with no down payment,
late fees or penalties.
To receive these protections, customers must call PSEG Long
Island at 1-800-490-0025 and affirm a change in financial
circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more
information, visit
https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance/covid.
Eligible customers need to reach out as soon as possible.
"Our customer service representatives continue to proactively
reach out to customers to provide guidance on state and federal
assistance programs," Walden said. "We know how hard it has been to
manage household bills when your income has been affected, and we
are also ready to set up individualized payment agreements that let
customers pay what they can now and not get too far behind."
Outreach to customers
Beginning Oct. 20, PSEG Long Island field representatives
will visit residential customers with past-due account balances to
discuss payment methods, accept a payment or work out a payment
plan to pay down balances over time. PSEG Long Island
representatives will work with customers to find the best solution
for the household. Residential customers will not be shut off for
non-payment at this time.
PSEG Long Island employees must carry a company ID and present
it when requested. If customers have doubts, do not let the person
into the house. Call PSEG Long Island
at 1-800-490-0025 and a customer service representative
will gladly verify if an employee has been dispatched to the
location.
PSEG Long Island field representatives have already been
visiting business customers in arrears to help them develop payment
plans. PSEG Long Island encourages business customers who do not
yet have a payment plan to call the PSEG Long Island Business
Solutions Center at 1-800-966-4818 to set one up. Shutoffs of
commercial customers for nonpayment will begin on Nov. 1. Small businesses with no more than 25
employees, and that meet other eligibility requirements, can remain
protected from shutoffs for nonpayment until Dec. 21 by contacting PSEG Long Island and
attesting to changes in financial circumstances. For more
information, visit
https://www.psegliny.com/businessandcontractorservices/covidresponse.
Other state and local assistance available
Customers
whose households meet certain income guidelines and other
eligibility requirements may be eligible for other financial
assistance programs opening in the coming months:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) — October 2021
- United Way of Long Island's
Project Warmth — January 2022
- Emergency HEAP — January
2022
PSEG Long Island also has programs to help customers save money
on energy costs:
- Home Energy Analyzer – a do-it-yourself online tool that uses a
simulation model to validate how energy is used in the home.
- My Energy Profile – an online suite of easy-to-use tools that
can help a customer understand energy usage and how to conserve it.
With this tool, customers can track energy efficiency efforts over
time and see comparisons to similar homes in the area.
- Energy Efficiency Rebates – PSEG Long Island offers rebates on
products including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips and major
appliances such as dryers and heat pump water heaters.
For more information on PSEG Long Island financial assistance
programs, visit
https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance.
For more information on HEAP and federal programs, visit
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/.
For more information on energy and money saving programs and
tips, visit https://www.psegliny.com/efficiency.
PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates
the Long Island Power Authority's transmission and distribution
system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a
subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG)
(NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.
Visit PSEG Long Island at:
www.psegliny.com
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Contact: Media Relations Pager
516.229.7248
mediarelationsLI@pseg.com
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SOURCE PSEG Long Island