GMP Urges Customers to Apply Now for $55 Million in State Grants for Overdue Utility Bills

COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power (GMP) is reminding customers that $55 million in free grant money is available for a limited time to help renters, homeowners, businesses and farms get caught up on overdue utility bills tied to the pandemic. Customers can apply for grants through the Vermont Department of Public Service through Oct. 25, and qualified customers can use the money to pay past-due landline phone, electric, natural gas and water service bills. Up to $10,000 is available for residential customers, up to $50,000 is available for businesses, and a grant program specifically for Vermonters who rent their homes can help pay rent as well as utilities.

“We want to make sure our customers know this money is available, and they should apply now because it is first come, first served. More than 20,000 GMP customers have fallen at least two months behind on their accounts during the pandemic, yet only about 2,000 have applied for these new assistance programs. This free grant money from the state can be a big help in getting out of debt, and we’d hate for anyone to miss out!” said Steve Costello, a GMP vice president who is leading the outreach effort to help customers get caught up. Making sure those in need are connected with financial assistance available also helps to reduce potential future costs for all other GMP customers. 

The Vermont Department of Public Service grants do not have to be repaid. Customers can apply online or call the Department. Utility assistance program details:

Renters 

DPS Renters Assistance or call (833) 488-3727. 

Homeowners, Businesses, Farms 

DPS Homeowners, Businesses, Farms Assistance or call (833) 295-8988.

“We’re here to assist customers, and we’d urge anyone who has fallen behind to call us! We can help connect you with these state grant programs, other resources to help, and we can set up no-interest payment plans to spread out the balance over an amount of time that works for you,” said Costello.

GMP also has a discount program for low-income customers to reduce their costs every day. That online application is through the Vermont Department for Children and Families. GMP can be reached toll free at (888) 835-4672.

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’re here to assist customers, and we’d urge anyone who has fallen behind to call us! We can help connect you with these state grant programs, other resources to help, and we can set up no-interest payment plans to spread out the balance over an amount of time that works for you.

Steve Costello, GMP Vice President