How Connecticut Natural Gas Assistance Programs Work — Guide to Getting Help With Your Bill.
Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) is owned by Avangrid and serves customers in the Hartford area and parts of southwestern Connecticut. If you're behind on your bill or worried about staying current through winter, this page will help you understand your options. CNG has several programs to work with — and knowing which one applies to your situation before you call will save you time.
A straight-forward guide to covering the options is below, with details on the various programs. CNG also has an online portal at https://www.cngcorp.com/payment-and-billing-options with other resources as well as payment programs that may be applicable to customers.
Matching Payment Plan
The Matching Payment Plan is CNG's most significant bill assistance option and the one most worth understanding clearly, because it has two connected phases that work together.
The first phase runs through the winter months. To enter it, you need to qualify for hardship status with CNG, apply for and receive a benefit through Connecticut's CEAP energy assistance program, and make a monthly payment arrangement that CNG sets based on your account.
If you complete that first phase successfully, you become eligible for the second phase in the warmer months. In early November, CNG matches the dollars you paid during phase two — applied directly to bring your balance down. Matching payments cannot reduce your balance below zero, but for households carrying a significant past-due amount, this program can make a real difference over time. The key is completing both phases without falling behind on your agreed payments.
To start, call CNG to ask about hardship status before anything else. Hartford area customers can reach CNG at 860-524-8361. Greenwich area customers should call 203-869-6900.
Winter Protection Program
CNG will not shut off your natural gas service during the winter months if you qualify for the Winter Protection Program. The protection period runs from November through the end of April and must be renewed each year, starting in October. This is not a payment forgiveness program — the balance you owe keeps accruing — but it prevents disconnection while you work on it. If you don't set up a payment arrangement before the protection period ends in May, your service can be shut off at that point. Call CNG before October to get enrolled for the upcoming winter.
Flexible Payment Arrangements
If your income doesn't meet the eligibility limits for assistance programs but you're facing a short term hardship, CNG will negotiate a payment arrangement with you. Residential customers can spread past-due balances over arrangements of up to 18 months. If your financial situation changes significantly after you've already set up an arrangement, you can ask CNG to renegotiate it. These conversations can be had confidentially — call the customer care number for your area.
Medical Protection
If you or someone in your household has a serious or life-threatening medical condition that requires natural gas service, CNG offers medical protection status that prevents disconnection. You'll need documentation of the medical condition. Call CNG directly to discuss what's required.
Home Energy Solutions — Income Eligible (HES-IE)
CNG customers who meet the income threshold can also access the HES-IE weatherization program through Energize Connecticut. This is a free program that makes physical improvements to your home — insulation, air sealing, heating system work, and related measures — to reduce what you spend on gas going forward. It is administered through your utility, not through CEAP, so it has a slightly different application process. You can apply at https://www.energizect.com/ or call 877-947-3873. If you've had an HES-IE assessment at your home in the past several years, you may not be eligible again yet — the program has a recency restriction.
State Energy Assistance for CNG Customers
CNG customers who meet Connecticut's income guidelines can also apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), the state's LIHEAP-funded heating assistance program. CEAP pays a benefit directly to your gas account once per heating season. Details on CEAP eligibility, how to apply, and what the weatherization program covers are on the Connecticut CEAP and weatherization page.
Watch Out for Fake "Gas Safety" Door Knocks
A scam circulating in Connecticut involves someone coming to your door claiming to be from your gas company or a related contractor, saying they need to inspect your gas lines or meter due to a reported leak or safety concern. Once inside, they may ask for personal information, a payment for inspection services, or access to rooms where they look for valuables. CNG does not charge for routine safety checks, and legitimate CNG technicians will always show verifiable company identification. If someone comes to your door claiming to represent CNG for a safety visit you weren't expecting, ask to see ID and call CNG directly at the number on your bill to verify before letting anyone in.
This page provides general educational information about Connecticut Natural Gas assistance programs. It is not legal or financial advice. Program details, eligibility requirements, and availability are subject to change. Confirm current details directly with Connecticut Natural Gas or your local Community Action Agency before making decisions.
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