CMP: Relief is Available for Customers with Unpaid Bills

Collections resume at Central Maine Power following five-month pause during winter months


Customers are urged to contact Central Maine Power or 211 Maine for information on available assistance programs to prevent service interruptions


AUGUSTA, ME — April 23, 2024 — Winter restrictions on service disconnections ended last week, and Central Maine Power wants to help customers who are struggling to pay their electric bills. Maine law prohibits residential disconnections from taking place during the winter period (November 15 through April 15) which can cause some customers to fall behind on their bills. Maine law also requires utilities to engage in collections activities and for unpaid bills to be socialized to all other customers through electricity rates.

Relief is available, and Central Maine Power and 211 Maine can help customers find assistance options. Central Maine Power can also help establish affordable payment arrangements with customers if they call our Customer Contact Center at 800.686.4044.

“Having unpaid bills is stressful, but financial help is available for qualifying individuals. Our goal is to help increase awareness about these programs,” said Linda Ball, vice president of Customer Service at CMP. “We urge customers in need to contact us about assistance programs so we can help them evaluate their options.”

Central Maine Power is required by Maine law to engage in collections activities because unpaid bills are ultimately socialized to all other customers through electricity rates. Customers with past due balances are provided multiple communications in advance of a disconnection. These contacts will include a bill, a reminder phone call, a termination notice with an additional payment period before disconnection, additional phone calls and sometimes an in-person visit from the utility. These measures are required by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and are intended to provide customers with significant advance warning before any disconnection is performed.

“211 Maine is a starting point to see what resources might be available to help,” said Nikki Williams, 211 Maine Program Director. “While 211 Maine doesn’t offer direct financial assistance, it does help people find resources and community supports that may help meet their needs.”

Available relief programs include the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the Electricity Lifeline Program (ELP), Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and the Arrearage Management Program (AMP).  For example, customers who qualify for ELP could receive up to $1,200 towards their electricity bill. For more information, visit the Maine Public Utilities Commission website HERE.

More information on available assistance programs can be found here:

  • Contact Central Maine Power by clicking HERE or dialing 800.750.4000
  • Contact 211 Maine by calling 211 (or 207.874.2211) or texting a Maine zip code to the number 898-211.

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