“Don’t Miss Out on Free Grants” is Message to Vermonters with Overdue Balances

COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to apply today for pandemic relief grants through the Vermont Department of Public Service, as the Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAAP II) is set to close on Oct. 24. Millions of dollars have been set aside by lawmakers to assist utility customers with overdue balances due to the pandemic, but this program is set to close by the end of the weekend. Residential customers can qualify for up to $10,000 and farms and businesses can qualify for up to $50,000 in relief for arrearages since March 2020. They can use the money to pay past-due landline phone, electric, natural gas and water service bills. 

“Millions of dollars are still available, but this program closes on Sunday, and the money will no longer available to customers. Don’t miss out on free grants to help get you out of debt. Customers should apply now to make sure their application is in before the deadline on Sunday,” said Steve Costello, a GMP vice president leading the effort to connect customers with grants, discounts and other resources to help with overdue balances. “We’ve heard from so many customers about how relieved and grateful they are to have this assistance when they receive the credit on their account. But customers should act quickly and know that we are here to help through the weekend and you can call us at 888-835-4672.”

More than 17,000 GMP residential and business customers are at least 60 days behind on their accounts and would qualify for this assistance. All together they’re carrying $19 million in debt. 

The Vermont Department of Public Service grants do not have to be repaid. Customers can apply for VCAAP 2 online at https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/help-past-due-utility-bills-vermont-department-public-service.  

“We’re here to assist customers, and we’d urge anyone who has fallen behind to call us! If you don’t have a computer or internet access and are having difficulty applying, we can help,” said Costello.

GMP also has a discount program for low-income customers to reduce their ongoing bills. That online application is through the Vermont Department for Children and Families. GMP can be reached toll free at 888-835-4672, and the call center will be staffed through the weekend.

About Green Mountain Power

Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 266,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list four years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).  In 2021, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation, and in 2019 GMP earned the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine. 

Kristin Kelly, Green Mountain Power
(802) 318-0872
[email protected]

We’ve heard from so many customers about how relieved and grateful they are to have this assistance when they receive the credit on their account.

Steve Costello, GMP Vice President