Veterans who receive disability benefits or a survivors pension may qualify for monthly utility-bill credits, and NYSEG and RG&E are bringing customer advocates to Rochester-area and Cayuga County events to help people check their options.
The utilities announced the outreach in an Oct. 12 release. The Energy Affordability Program does not automatically enroll eligible veterans, the companies said, so customers may need to ask whether their benefits qualify them for a credit.
The first Rochester stop is Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Monroe County Office Building, 39 W. Main St. Additional Rochester-area sessions are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St., and Thursday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road.
In Cayuga County, advocates are scheduled to visit Locke Town Hall, 1215 Route 38 in Moravia, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The companies also listed events in other parts of New York and said they expect to schedule more.
Customer-service representatives can review bills one-on-one, help determine whether someone qualifies for the Energy Affordability Program or the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program and discuss other forms of help, including budget billing and payment plans. They can also explain energy-efficiency programs and Energy Manager, a tool for tracking usage.
NYSEG and RG&E said they are working with veterans' agencies, community organizations and AVANVETS, an Avangrid employee group for people who served in the U.S. military, to reach customers. They said thousands of veterans in their service areas may qualify for additional assistance, but did not give a count of eligible customers in the Finger Lakes.
The release specifically identifies customers receiving Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension as potentially eligible for the monthly Energy Affordability Program credit. Eligibility is not guaranteed by veteran status alone; customer advocates can review a household's circumstances and the available programs.
Home Energy Assistance Program enrollment opens Nov. 2, according to the utilities. Funding remains available until exhausted; application and income-qualification information is available from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Customers who cannot attend an event can call RG&E at 800-743-2110 or NYSEG at 800-572-1111, or review each utility's bill-help resources online. Those options remain available while the companies plan additional in-person sessions.
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