NORTH ATTLEBORO - North Attleboro Electric Department has expanded availability of its winter assistance program for customers who are struggling to pay their electric bills.

Electric commissioners approved a new pilot program this week that will relax income guidelines for customers who are unable to pay their bills and need assistance during the winter months.

Like all other utilities in the state, North Attleboro Electric ensures that power will not be shut off from Nov. 15 to March 15 for households unable to pay utility bills.

"The program will be unique, and it could be a real example of citizens helping citizens. With the rising costs of fuel, the commissioners believe that we have an opportunity to have local government, through the North Attleboro Electric Department, make a very real difference in the lives of some of our friends and customers by providing them with protection from energy costs that they would otherwise not have," electric commission Chairman Thomas Corrigan said.

Customers who qualify for the protection must: Suffer from a serious illness.

Have a child younger than 12 months old and service that was not shut off for nonpayment prior to the child's birth.

Or have a system where electricity provides the heat or operates the heating system, providing the customer's service was shut off for nonpayment before Nov. 15.

The program previously used the state income requirements, which meant customers had to be within 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Commissioners decided to switch to the Good Neighbor fund income guidelines. Under the new guidelines, the income level for protection for a family of four will increase from $42,400 to $58,300 - a 38 percent increase.

Corrigan said the board is pleased to "stretch our umbrella of protection" by changing the income guidelines to help residents who may be challenged by the cost of utilities this winter.