Utility Assistance is Listed by Alphabetical Order for Name of Program- NOT type of Utility. The type of utility help available is listed under the program.
Financial Assistance Programs
Customer Assistance Programs (CAP)
CAP is for low income or otherwise needy households with temporary or long term reduction and budgeting of payments. EACH utility has a separate program, so a FIN MUST apply to each one separately:
ALOCOSAN- 1 800 282 6816
Columbia: 1 800 537 7431
Duquene Light Company: 1 888 393 7600
First Energy (Met-Ed adn Penelec): 1 800 545 7741
First Energy (Penn Power): 1 800 720 3600
First Energy (West Penn Power): 1 800 686 0021
PA American Water: 1 888 282 6816
People's Gas: 1 800 400 9276
People's Township: 1 800 222 5101
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority: 1 866 762 2348
Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program
Dollar Energy Hardship Program is a grant program to help
people pay outstanding utility bills.
Please click here for list of utility partners
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Have a household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
Have already applied for LIHEAP (see links below), CRISIS and/or WARM, if eligible
Have made a payment of at least $150 on their accounts in the past three months. (Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid at least $100 on their accounts.)
Have an outstanding balance on your utility bill of at least $100. (Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, may have a $0 balance as long as there is no existing credit on the account.)
Applicants must provide the following documents - Must have ALL items:
Proof of all household income from the past 30 days
Most recent utility bill
Termination notice (if applicable)
Proof of required payment within the past three months
Names and dates of birth of all household members
Social Security number of account holder
3 Ways to assist a FIN to apply:
Contact Molly Penderville Through SHIM
Email: mpenderville@shimcares.org
Call: (412) 854-9120 ext 108.
Online through the Hardship fund link:
Dollar Energy Online Application
Through calling 1 888 282 6816
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP
1 877 395 8930
Income eligle households can apply for energy assistance grants. Program usually opens in November
Low Income Water Assistance Program
LIWAP
Temperary Emergency program to help low income families pay overdue water bills.
Apply through DHS online or call
1 866 857 7095
PA Public Utility Commision
Regulates utility services. If you have a complaint after dealing with a utility, contact PUC for an informal (billing issues, service quality, and payment needs) or formal (rate protest) complaints.
1 800 692 7380
PA Utility Law Project
Providese info, assistance, and advice about residential utility and energy matters for low income customers.
1 800 645 2500
Holy Family Institute Energy Program- DCL
Holy Family Institute partners with Duquesne Light to provide year-round energy assistance to local residents who qualify for the program. A Holy Family representative can explain income eligibility and other qualifying guidelines for the following programs:
Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES) assists payment-challenged and special needs customers in maintaining residential electric service.
They also support applying to CAP, LiHEAP and Dollar Energy.
All referrals for utility bills can be made through calling: 412-331-8665.
Holy Family Institute Energy Website
Energy Saving/Winterization Programs
Duquene Light Smart Home Comfort Program
Helps eligible customers reduce their electric bills through energy education and conservation measures. An energy manager will visit you in your home and provide energy education and usage reduction measures through an energy audit. The program provides conservation measures at no charge, energy education, services and measures to reduce your electric use and lower your monthly bill, and referrals to other community programs.
Individuals on CAP who are in danger of running out of funding or are not making consistent payments can have this program. SVdP is a group that can provide a referral. If you ask DLC for permission to refer.
Concact: 1-866-282-3147
Questions they will ask:
- Type of housing (apartment, house, townhome, ect)
- Landlord Name and #
- Type of heating
-Do they own their refrigerator/freezer
- Do they use space heaters
**** When they call the FIN to schedule, the FIN will have to answer a call to a number they don't know. This program does not leave messages. Please emphasize this to FIN
People's Gas
Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
LIURP is a weatherization program that helps customers reduce energy costs. To "weatherize" your home, we would help make your home more energy efficient, which will help you save money heating and cooling a home.
Examples of weatherization measures: heating system improvements, attic and wall caulking, insulation, and weather-stripping.
To see if you are eligible for our weatherization improvements, we'll look at the following requirements:
Your household income meets guidelines (CAP recipients will likely qualify)
You must have lived in the home for at least one year.
Several Ways to Apply:
Call : 1 412 935 0517
Or
Call the People's Gas Customer Service Center at 1-800-764-0111
email: peopleshelps@peoples-gas.com.
Columbia Gas Warm Wise Program
Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
Similar to the People's Gas program. Sign up is done more directly through Columbia Gas.
Phone number 1 800 537 7431