1. A Medical Providers Guide: Utility Law in Connecticut
October 25, 2017

2. Learning objectives Understanding Connecticut Utility Law
Role of the medical provider in assessing eligibility for utility “protection” under Connecticut law.
Working with the patient and utility companies to access appropriate supports for patients
cca-ct.org

3. Case Example
Mrs. Jones requests that you sign the “Medical Protection Form”
It is early October
She has three children ages 7, 4, and 18 months
Children are generally healthy, but four year old has asthma and periodically uses a nebulizer
Mrs. Jones has a shut off notice for her electricity and explains she doesn’t have the funds to pay the large back balance
Mrs. Jones states that unless you sign the form she and her children will be in the dark and the cold
cca-ct.org

4. Connecticut Law “Hardship” or “Winter” Protection
Connecticut General Statutes – c(b)(1) – Electric Service
“From November first to May first, inclusive no electric distribution company, no electric supplier and no municipal utility furnishing electricity shall terminate, deny or refuse to reinstate residential electric service in hardship cases where the customer lacks the financial resources to pay his or her entire account.”
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

5. Connecticut Law Winter Protection – Electric Service
Time Frame: November 1 - May 1
Eligibility: Low income customers of electric provider
Service must be reinstated if previously terminated
Past arrearage does not effect requirement that service be reinstated
Debt accrues even if service cannot be terminated
May lose utilities on May 1
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

6. Connecticut Law Winter Protection – GAS
Connecticut General Statues 262c(b)(1)
“From November first to May first, inclusive, no gas company and no municipal utility furnishing gas shall terminate, deny or refuse to reinstate residential gas service in hardship cases where the customer uses gas for heat and lacks the financial resources to pay his or her entire account.”
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

7. Connecticut Law Winter Protection – GAS
Time Frame: November 1 - May 1, inclusive
Eligibility: Low income gas service customer
Past Due Debt: Service terminated before November 1
Gas services will not be automatically reinstated if service has been previously terminated.
To get reinstated the customer must pay:
$ OR
20% of their arrearage OR
a payment on their amortized payment agreement
Past Due Debt: Service not terminated
Gas service cannot be terminated during timeframe, inclusive
Amount of past account arrearage does not effect access to gas heat
Debt for services continues to accrue
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

8. Connecticut Law Definition of “Hardship”
Connecticut General Statutes 262c (b)(3)
Receipt of state or federal public assistance
Sole source of income is social security, veteran’s benefits, or unemployment
Includes total household income
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

9. Accessing “Winter” or “Hardship Protection”
Electric or Gas: Patient can call the utility provider directly
Assistance from Medical Provider is not required to access this protection from termination over the winter months
cca-ct.org

10. Connecticut Law Medical Protection
Connecticut General Statues 262c (b)(2)
“Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes to the contrary, no electric, electric distribution or gas company, no electric supplier and no municipal utility furnishing electricity or gas shall terminate , deny or refuse to reinstate residential electric or gas service where the customer lacks the financial resources to pay his or her entire account and for which customer or a member of the customer’s household the termination, denial or failure to reinstate such service would create a life-threatening situation.”
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

11. Connecticut Law Medical Protection
Patient requires heat and/or electricity based on their medical condition
Eligibility: Physician or APRN makes medical determination
Individualized determination based on the patient’s medical condition as it relates to the need for gas or electric service
Medical condition is “life-threatening”
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

12. Connecticut Law Medical Protection
Examples of Life Threatening Condition
Patient requires medical equipment that requires electricity
Patient has chronic condition requiring stable household temperature
Patient requires medication that has to be refrigerated
Patient’s severe mental/behavioral health issues require stable household temperature and electricity
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

13. Connecticut Law Medical Protection
Accessing Medical Protection
Patient makes request to medical provider
Utility provider forwards internet based form to medical provider
Medical provider completes form and sends directly to the utility provider
Form cannot be submitted by the patient
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

14. Connecticut Law Medical Protection
Serious Illness
Form generally has option of choosing “serious illness” as an alternative to “life threatening” illness
“Serious Illness” designation only protects the patient from termination of their electricity or heat during November 1 - May 1
If medical provider chooses “serious illness” as appropriate designation, the utility service can be terminated
cca-ct.org

15. Connecticut Law Infant Protection
Connecticut General Statues 262c (b)(2)
Eligibility: Children under twenty four months of age
Low income
Being discharged from the hospital
Electric and/or gas service is necessary for child’s “health and well being”
Accessing the protection:
Patient makes request from medical provider (physician or APRN)
Utility company provides form
Medical provider completes form and submits directly to utility company
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

16. Utilities and health
Pediatrics – The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics
“A Brief Indicator of Household Energy Security Associations with Food Security, Child Health and Child Development in US Toddlers and Infants”
Lack of utilities impact health outcomes: poor health status, lifetime hospitalizations, developmental delays
Web link:
“Children’s Heath Watch” : Boston Medical Center
“Energy Insecurity Is a Major threat to Child Health”
Young children is energy insecure homes – high risk of food insecurity, poor health, hospitalizations and developmental delays
Web link:
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

17. Utilities and family Stability
Housing
Majority of residential leases require utility service in property
Failure to have utilities in subsidized housing units can result in loss of housing subsidy
Department of Children and Families looks for stability of home environment when accessing appropriate placement for children
Negative educational outcomes for children in households without electricity
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

18. Community Supports Community Agencies: 211 INFOLINE
Community Action agencies
Operation Fuel
cca-ct.org

19. Medical-Legal Partnership Center for Children’s Advocacy
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

20. Community Utility Clinics Helping Patients “Keep the Power On”
Partnership: Center for Children’s Advocacy, utility companies, community social services agencies
Purpose: Assist patients with accessing affordable utility payment arrangements; assist patients with avoiding utility termination
Provide access to community services and supports
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

21. Budget Counseling
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

22. Medical providers guide to utility law
Data source: Goes here
cca-ct.org

23. Medical-Legal Partnership Project broswig@cca-ct.org (860) 545-8581
Bonnie Roswig
Senior Staff Attorney
Medical-Legal Partnership Project
(860)
cca-ct.org