Financial Hardship is certified when residential customers meet the income eligibility guidelines (PDF:6KB) for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also known as Fuel Assistance.

To declare a Financial Hardship please call Customer Service at (413) 781-4300 (within the Springfield calling area) or (800) 286-2000 (outside the Springfield calling area).

We will protect your account from disconnection if you declare a Financial Hardship and meet one or more of the following eligibility guidelines:

• All adult residents in the household are 65 years of age or older, even if there are minor children living in the household.
• You or someone in your home is seriously ill.
• You have a child less than one year-old living in your home.

We will not disconnect your electric service during the winter moratorium, from November 15 to March 15, if you declare a Financial Hardship and you heat your home with electricity or start your heat with electricity.