Massachusetts gas and electric customers who qualify by income became eligible for tiered discount rates on Nov. 1. The state’s winter bills page says “the gas and electric utilities will offer tiered discount rates for their income-eligible customers,” and it lists Eversource and National Grid along with Berkshire Gas, Liberty Utilities and Unitil. The new rates replace a single discount level with six tiers that step down as household income rises.
The question for a household is whether it is already on a discount and, if not, which tier it falls in. The state says customers should “contact your utility company to help enroll you on the rate if you qualify,” and a call to the utility or a local Community Action Agency is the route in. Anyone who already gets a discount does not need to act, according to the state’s help page, and moves to the new rate automatically…