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Enhanced Electric Discount Rate

Rhode Island Energy

Lower Your Monthly Electric Bill

If you need help managing your energy costs the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate could help lower your monthly electric bill. Eligible customers can receive a 10% to 75% discount on electric charges, depending on household income.

What Is the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate?

Enhanced Electric Discount Rate

The Enhanced Electric Discount Rate provides additional electric bill assistance to eligible customers. The program offers five discount levels, ranging from 10% to 75% on eligible electric charges. Once program eligibility is established, gross household income is used to determine the discount level, with higher discounts available to households with lower incomes.

Unlike the previous Electric Discount Rate program, which offered two discount levels of 25% and 30%, the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate offers five discount levels to provide assistance based on household income.

Key Benefits

  • Bill savings of up to 75% on eligible electric charges
  • Five discount levels based on household income
  • Higher discounts for households with lower incomes
  • Continued access to additional bill assistance programs and resources

Discount Levels

For customers who meet the program's eligibility requirements, household income and household size are used to determine the electric bill discount level. Households with lower incomes receive higher discounts.

The chart below shows the gross household income ranges for each discount level based on household size and the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Gross Household Income

Household Size 75% Discount
(0%–50% FPL)		 66% Discount
(>50%–75% FPL)		 56% Discount
(>75%–100% FPL)		 38% Discount
(>100%–150% FPL)		 10% Discount
(>150% FPL)
1 Up to $7,980 $7,981–$11,970 $11,971–$15,960 $15,961–$23,940 Above $23,940
2 Up to $10,820 $10,821–$16,230 $16,231–$21,640 $21,641–$32,460 Above $32,460
3 Up to $13,660 $13,661–$20,490 $20,491–$27,320 $27,321–$40,980 Above $40,980
4 Up to $16,500 $16,501–$24,750 $24,751–$33,000 $33,001–$49,500 Above $49,500
5 Up to $19,340 $19,341–$29,010 $29,011–$38,680 $38,681–$58,020 Above $58,020
6 Up to $22,180 $22,181–$33,270 $33,271–$44,360 $44,361–$66,540 Above $66,540
7 Up to $25,020 $25,021–$37,530 $37,531–$50,040 $50,041–$75,060 Above $75,060
8 Up to $27,860 $27,861–$41,790 $41,791–$55,720 $55,721–$83,580 Above $83,580

Do I Qualify for the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate?

You may qualify for the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate if you participate in one or more of the following qualifying assistance programs:

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Medicaid
  • Rhode Island Works
  • General Public Assistance (GPA)

Not Currently Enrolled in a Qualifying Program?

  • Contact your local CAP agency to learn about or apply for LIHEAP: Find Your Local CAP Agency.
  • Visit the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) to learn about or apply for SNAP, Rhode Island Works, General Public Assistance, SSI, and Medicaid: DHS Benefits and Programs.

Next Steps

Once eligibility is established through a qualifying program, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) determines your household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and assigns your Enhanced Electric Discount Rate discount tier.

DHS then shares that information with us, and we'll send you a letter confirming your enrollment and discount level.

What If I'm Currently Enrolled in the Original Electric Discount Rate?

If you're currently enrolled in the Electric Discount Rate, you may continue to receive a discount under the Enhanced Electric Discount Rate if all of the following apply:

  1. You are a residential customer.
  2. The utility bill is in your name.
  3. You are the head of household or principal wage earner.
  4. You are the primary account holder and meet at least one of the following requirements:
  • Are eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
  • Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Receive Medicaid
  • Receive Rhode Island Works
  • Receive General Public Assistance