Bill Assistance
Struggling With Your Utility Bill?
It is a lot easier to get into debt than to get out of it. Especially when we’re paying for something we absolutely need – light when it’s dark outside, warmth when it’s cold, cool air in the summer. And yet, holding utility debt is the status quo for one in five households in Central Hudson.
It can feel impossible to navigate the bills, the agreements, the termination notices, the programs, all in addition to the cost of housing, food, transportation, and more.
Luckily, it isn’t impossible, and MHET is here to help. Below, we have listed specific programs that address utility debt and some of our own resources that help to explain the utility debt ecosystem in Central Hudson. We hope these are helpful. And if you want help with these programs, your own situation, or you just want to talk it out with someone, schedule a chat with us in person, over the phone, or online.
Strategies We Recommend
Sign up for Central Hudson’s Bill Discount Program if you are receiving any of the qualifying benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), etc) listed on the web page. This is an easy step to get some relief on monthly bills.
Apply to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for a one time payment on your heating costs. If you are in danger of having your service shut off, call the listed number on their website or reach out to us!
If you are in danger of losing housing, fuel, or running low on food, reach out to your closest Family of Woodstock location.
United Way of Ulster County also provides one time emergency payments for energy and housing related emergencies. These are especially helpful if you’re looking at big down payment to get on a deferred payment plan.
3 Tips for Understanding Your Central Hudson Energy Bill
The Total Amount Due Now is the number you need to pay for this bill. It is not necessarily the cost of the energy you used because of different adjustments, charges, and fees. Sometimes people confuse the visual of electric and gas charges on the bill, in a circle to the left of the table of charges, with the amount due.
Pay attention to:
- Previous Billed Amount – What you owed from the previous bill.
- Payments Since Last Bill – Payments that have been applied to your account.
- Current Electric Charges – What electricity cost during this billing period.
- Current Gas Charges – What gas cost during this billing period.
- Billing Adjustments – Credits, corrections, or other adjustments.
- Total Amount Due Now – The final amount currently owed.
For example, on this sample bill, the Total Amount Due Now is $306.19, while the current electric and gas charges total $193.30. This is a good example of why residents should look beyond the total amount due and understand what makes up the balance.
The total amount due is what a household needs to pay. The amount you owe is not always the same as what you used this month.
Instead of only comparing how many dollars you paid this month versus last month, look at how much energy you actually consumed. Compare every month the usage.
For electricity, look for:
Electricity Used is measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
For natural gas, look for:
Gas Used is measured in Hundred Cubic Feet (Ccf)
The sample bill shows 226 kWh of electricity and 48 Ccf of natural gas. It also includes graphs showing previous months, which can help residents identify changes and seasonal patterns in their consumption.
A useful question to ask is:
“Did I actually use more energy, or did my bill increase for another reason?”
If the dollar amount increases significantly but the household's kWh or Ccf usage stays relatively similar, it is worth looking at other parts of the bill to better understand the increase.
Don’t compare only dollars. Compare your kWh and Ccf too.
A utility bill is not simply a charge for the energy a household consumes.
The sample Central Hudson bill separates charges into categories including:
SUPPLY – Charges associated with the energy being supplied. The actual electricity or gas.
DELIVERY – Charges associated with delivering that electricity or natural gas to the home. Supports Central Hudson’s maintenance costs.
The bill also contains other charges, credits, taxes, and adjustments that can affect the final amount.
Understanding these categories can help residents answer an important question:
“Why is my bill high even if I didn’t use much more energy?”
Your bill isn’t just the energy you use. Look at both Supply and Delivery.
Schedule a Conversation With Us!
No one should have to become an expert on these programs in order to maintain a safe, comfortable, dignified life.
So let us be the experts. We’re ready to help and you can schedule a time to talk below:
Additional Resources
If you want to learn more, check out Communities for Local Power’s Termination Letter Guide and read the blogs we’ve published about utility bills below.
Introduction to Termination Notices in Central Hudson
In May 2025, fifty thousand households served by Central Hudson were over sixty days in arrears. See how Deferred Payment Agreements are used as a way to prevent shutoffs.
How Final Termination Notices Work
Dive deeper into terminations and their outcomes, exploring questions like: how often do terminations occur, and what happens before—and after—a shutoff?
Tips for Energy Efficiency
It’s essential to implement energy-saving strategies to maintain a comfortable home environment while reducing utility costs. Here are some tips to enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
Utility Debt in Central Hudson
New York State utilities publish statistics on how many homes are carrying past due balances every month. In Central Hudson’s case, more than one in five homes are 60+ days into debt as of November 2024.
Introduction to Termination Notices in Central Hudson
In May 2025, fifty thousand households served by Central Hudson were over sixty days in arrears. See how Deferred Payment Agreements are used as a way to prevent shutoffs.
How Final Termination Notices Work
Dive deeper into terminations and their outcomes, exploring questions like: how often do terminations occur, and what happens before—and after—a shutoff?
Tips for Energy Efficiency
It’s essential to implement energy-saving strategies to maintain a comfortable home environment while reducing utility costs. Here are some tips to enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
Utility Debt in Central Hudson
New York State utilities publish statistics on how many homes are carrying past due balances every month. In Central Hudson’s case, more than one in five homes are 60+ days into debt as of November 2024.
Questions? We're here to help!
Have questions and need help getting them answered? Send us a question, or contact us at the information below:
- Call us at 845-383-1050
- Visit the office at 190 Fair St, Unit 1, Kingston, New York 12401 USA
Check out our other programs
We’re dedicated to supporting those most affected by rising energy costs and the impacts of climate change, especially communities that have faced the greatest harm from our current energy system. Through continuous innovation, community involvement in program design, and advocacy for sustainable change, we’re building a cleaner, fairer future. Explore our other programs to see how we’re making a difference.
Kingston Community Energy
Home Upgrade Grants
HELP Fund
