National Grid directs $500K to support customers affected by COVID-19

National Grid, which serves 20 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, is directing $500,000 to support customers affected by the health impacts, financial hardships, and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will provide immediate relief to families and individuals in need and bolster efforts by local organizations to assist communities in its coverage area, according to a release from National Grid.

A portion of the funds will be dedicated directly to National Grid’s customers experiencing financial hardship. The Company will also work with community-based organizations and funds to help support many of the basic needs being interrupted.

In addition, National Grid has taken the following steps to further protect the safety and well-being of our customers and employees:

— Suspending collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship the COVID-19 pandemic may have on customers;

— Encouraging customers who are struggling to pay their National Grid bill to contact the company as soon as possible for assistance;

— Offering the expertise of its Consumer Advocates, who provide crisis intervention support for customers in need, working closely with state and county Social Services and community assistance organizations; and

— Requiring its employees to take precautionary measures before entering a customer’s home to limit exposure.

More Regional News

  • Referring to President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill, Tonko said the “Big Betrayal Bill” has “a door opening to privatization” for Social Security.

  • When the government assesses need, it does so on a census-block by census-block basis, where if just one household in a block has broadband it means that block is “served,” in the eyes of the government. This puts rural communities at a disadvantage because their low population densities mean their blocks cover a larger geographic area.

  • The “bridge parties” organized by Christine Primomo do not involve players sitting around a card table. Rather, they involve activists holding banners across a bridge — banners that Primomo says are to inspire passersby to join the movement to preserve democracy.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.