Chris Poulos

Last Wednesday was a perfect night in Plantsville. Christmas in the Village was a big success, and it was great to see so many people out and enjoying the activities sponsored by Plantsville’s businesses. Thank you to the organizers for bringing our community together.

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

A Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) is now available for Eversource financial hardship customers. Depending on household income, eligible customers will receive 10% or 50% off their electric bills per month. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. Customers must have a financial hardship status on their electric account to receive the discount on their bill.

Customers can check if their income meets that criteria on Eversource's bill help page, or call (800) 286-2828. Eversource customers enrolled in LIDR can still take advantage of additional assistance programs, including:

• The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides a basic benefit to help pay heating bills. Apply online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or visit your local Community Action Agency.
• The Matching Payment Program is for electric and gas customers with a financial hardship designation. Eversource will match the customer’s payments and any energy assistance award down to a zero balance.
• New Start forgives overdue balances if monthly budget payments are made on time.
• Medical Protection Plan protects from disconnections for residential customers who have a household member with a certified serious or life-threatening illness.

Eversource also encourages all customers, regardless of income, to take advantage of its energy efficiency solutions that can help manage year-round energy usage. 

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) is urging residents to be aware of a scam targeting job seekers. Criminals are soliciting banking and other information by calling residents and claiming to be an employer registered with CTHires, the state’s job bank.

The attempts to steal personal data through this scam include callers asking for Social Security, bank account, and credit card numbers as well as telling residents they must pay a fee to have their application reviewed for employment. The agency recommends that all unemployment filers, CTHires users, and job seekers stay vigilant about this and other scams targeting residents.

If you think you may be a victim of this or other scams, please visit the CTDOL fraud watch page.