It is Getting Cold. Do You Qualify for Help with Paying your Heat Bill?

For information on how to sign up for heating assistance benefits in Rhode Island, download our newest brochure, funded in part through an IOLTA grant from the Rhode Island Bar Association. For a additional information on the program, visit the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) website.

For more information on how to combat the utility company and fight for your rights, come to a chapter meeting of the RI Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty.

Also, you can review our helpful resources.

Received a shutoff notice from the gas or electric company? Here’s how you can fight it.

September 2008 shutoffs broke the one-month record for Rhode Island. Our utility shut-off problem is real and growing according to expert John Howat of the National Consumer Law Center. View a graph of RI terminations and restorations from 1999 through September 2008.

Ever fallen behind on your National Grid gas or electric bill? When “back bills” grow, National Grid switches turns to an aggressive corporate debt collector. Even “protected customers” who negotiate a payment plan and then miss a payment, face the real risk of a shut-off. The “payment plans” are not affordable and are “negotiated” on an uneven playing field: Financially strapped and desperate resident vs. global corporation — and the Division of Public Utilities lets it happen, tens of thousands of times each year.

These payment plans are unrealistic when compared to monthly income and is why H6079, the Home Energy Rate Affordability Act, needs to pass this year. Review these reports to see the shocking numbers involved in these “no win” phony deals.

National Grid Broken Promise Reports:
Gas Negotiated Payment Plan Report (March 2004 - March 2009)
Electric Negotiated Payment Plan Report (March 2004 - March 2009)

¿ ESTÁ USTED FRENTE A UN CORTE DEL SERVICIO DE GAS O ELECTRICIDAD?

Members of the George Wiley Center, backed by State Representative Gordon Fox, won an extension of the Winter Moratorium until May 1, 2009.

You may be a “PROTECTED” Customer and be legally protected from a utility shut-off during the winter moratorium. To find out, call the RI State Energy Office or your local CAP agency to see you are protected by qualifying as a LIHEAP customer. If you received “Heating Assistance” last year in the same town, you should be on the list as a protected customer this year. YOU MUST REAPPLY.

The Spring, Summer and Fall months when the Winter Moratorium is NOT in effect, it is shut-off season. To protect yourself, call us and then take the following steps:

1. Call the company & make a reasonable offer based on what is affordable for your family.

If your offer is refused by the company, go to the next step.

2. Call the Public Utilities Commission & request an informal hearing.

Here's the phone number, (401) 780-9700 and remember, you have a right to this hearing.

You can demand a bilingual hearing officer if you need one.

This should temporarily stop any shutoff. Also, put your request in writing to:
Division of Public Utilities, 89 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888.

After your hearing has been scheduled, go to the next step.

3. Contact us at (401) 728-5555 if there you have any problems in following these steps.

We work together to advocate as a group on common issues. On a very limited basis, we can send an advocate with you or advise you on how to prepare for your informal hearing for an AFFORDABLE ENERGY PAYMENT PLAN. If you are interested in becoming an advocate for others — let us know.

After the informal hearing, if you are not satisfied with your written answer from the Division, go to the next step.

4. Request a second, formal hearing.

Here's the phone number, (401) 941-4500 and remember, until that hearing is held, your service cannot be shut off.