Customers may qualify for federal heating assistance, discounted low-income rate

National Grid billing and payment options available

Nov. 2, 2009 -- Applications are now being accepted for the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist income-eligible families in paying their energy bills, and National Grid is reminding customers to see if they qualify.

“National Grid knows that energy costs will be challenging to some of our customers this winter and through the power of action, we are reaching out to remind customers that LIHEAP may be one way they can help meet that challenge,” said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S. LIHEAP payments vary depending on household income, household composition and heating fuel costs in relation to income. If a household receives public assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or food stamps, the household will most likely be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. If a household is not receiving public assistance, it still may be eligible if the gross monthly household income is at or below income guidelines based on household size.

Since LIHEAP funding is limited, customers who feel they may qualify for the funds should contact LIHEAP immediately—applications are being accepted now for the 2009-2010 heating season. The LIHEAP application process varies by state.

• In Massachusetts, LIHEAP is also known as Fuel Assistance and is managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development in conjunction with 22 regional nonprofit and local government organizations. To find out more, interested individuals can call 1-800-632-8175 or visit www.mass.gov/dhcd or www.energybucks.com

• In New Hampshire, where LIHEAP is also known as Fuel Assistance, the Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) is responsible for the statewide administration of the program. OEP then contracts with six local Community Action Agencies (also known as CAAs) to provide service to eligible households. To find out more, call the OEP at (603) 271-2155 or visit www.nh.gov/oep

• In New York State, eligibility for LIHEAP is determined by your county Department of Social Services. If you’re 59 or under and applying for the first time, call your county Department of Social Services. If over 60, contact your local New York State Office for the Aging. You can also call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

• In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources oversees low-income heating assistance and energy efficiency programs to help families cope with the high cost of home energy bills. Inquiries can be made by calling (401) 574-9100 and additional information is available at www.energy.ri.gov

There are several other programs available to National Grid customers to help manage energy costs:

• Low-income discount rate – Discount rates are available to many National Grid electricity and/or natural gas customers, based on service area and certain eligibility requirements. For more information about availability of low-income rates and to determine eligibility, customers should contact National Grid or their local energy assistance agency, Community Action Agency or state department of social services.

• Billing Options – National Grid’s budget billing program helps to spread payments out more evenly across the year. This is particularly helpful to those on fixed incomes. Visit www.nationalgridus.com for more information on this and other payment programs.

• National Grid’s website www.powerofaction.com features energy efficiency programs and saving tips, a list of qualified energy services companies and much more.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.