Applicants crowded social agency offices in Bridgeport and Norwalk Thursday to file for an energy assistance program that helps customers who have big utility bills left over from the winter.

ABCD, a social service agency, is working to help Connecticut residents who have had their electricity cut off because of high unpaid bills.

Today is the first day residents can apply to receive energy assistance funding from the federal government.

The state received a multimillion-dollar grant from the federal government for Fairfield County. The agency expects to help about 10,000 families.

ABCD's executive director, Dr. Monette Ferguson, is urging the public to come and apply, both at their offices in Bridgeport and at the Norwalk.

"Our season goes from Aug. 1 to May 1, and this is an opportunity for community members to get in early and get resources for their high heating bills," says Ferguson.