Pennsylvania Hardship Program

2015 – 2016
Pennsylvania Hardship Program
Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants that are applied directly to a limited-income
household’s utility bill. Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and eligibility requirements vary based on the
utility company.
Partnering Utility Companies:
Gas
Columbia Gas
Peoples Natural Gas
Peoples TWP
Valley Energy
Water
Electric
Pennsylvania American Water
Citizens Electric
Duquesne Light
Met-Ed, A FirstEnergy Company
Penelec, A FirstEnergy Company
Penn Power, A FirstEnergy Company
West Penn Power, A FirstEnergy Company
Wellsboro Electric
Program Dates:
 Open from October 1, 2015, through November 30,
2015, for services that are off or in threat of
termination only.
 Open from December 1, 2015, through January 31,
2016, for services that are off only.
 Available from February 1, 2016, through February
28, 2016, for services that are off or in threat of
termination.
 If applicants are eligible and programs are open,
applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before
applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship
Program.
 Starting March 1, 2016, the Program is open to all
eligible applicants regardless of service status for
most utilities.
Sincere Effort of Payment:
 Applicants must have paid at least $150 on their gas
and electric accounts in the past three months. Senior
Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $100 on
their accounts.
 Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their
water account in the past three months. Senior
Citizens must have paid at least $50.
 Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme
hardships.
Maximum Grant:
 The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive
is $500.
 Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per
program year. (10/1/2015 - 9/30/2016)
 Grant awards are based on need and each family’s
circumstances are different. Grant amounts are
determined on a case to case basis.
Balance Requirement:
 Applicant must have an outstanding balance on their
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.
Other Requirements:
 Account must be residential, single home or
apartment. No “Cooking Only”, commercial,
industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
 Name on account must be that of an adult who is
currently living in the home.
Application Attachments:
 Verification of income or proof of LIHEAP or Crisis
application, when those programs are open, must be
attached to all applications.
 A copy of the most recent utility bill with proof of
minimum payment must be attached to all
applications.
Income Guidelines:
How to Apply:
With the exception of FirstEnergy customers, total gross
household income must be at or below 200% of the
2016 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines as shown in
the chart below.
Household Size
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Each add’l add
200% Monthly
$1,980
$2,670
$3,360
$4,050
$4,740
$5,430
$6,122
$6,815
$693
200% Yearly
$23,760
$32,040
$40,320
$48,600
$56,880
$65,160
$73,460
$81,780
$8,320
Total gross household income for FirstEnergy customers
must be at or below 250% of the 2016 Federal Poverty
Income Guidelines as shown in the chart below.
Household Size
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Each add’l add
250% Monthly
$2,475
$3,338
$4,200
$5,063
$5,925
$6,788
$7,652
$8,519
$867
250% Yearly
$29,700
$40,050
$50,400
$60,750
$71,100
$81,450
$91,825
$102,225
$10,400
 The best way to start seeking help is by calling your
utility company. They will provide you with
information on a number of different assistance
programs that are available to help low-income utility
customers.
 Dollar Energy also partners with a network of
Community Based Organizations throughout the
state. These dedicated agencies provide application
intake services for clients. Find an agency in your area
on Dollar Energy Fund’s online Agency Finder.
 Visit www.dollarenergyfund.org/needhelp/Pennsylvania to learn more about Dollar
Energy Fund.
How Can You Help?
Dollar Energy Fund is a private non-profit organization
that relies on the generosity of individual donors to
fulfill its mission. Every dollar donated the Hardship
Program will be matched by our utility partners. These
matching funds and 100% of your donation will assist
limited-income families residing in Pennsylvania afford
utility service. Give to Dollar Energy Fund by:
• Donating through your monthly utility bill
• Giving online at ww.dollarenergyfund.org.
Visit www.dollarenergyfund.org to learn more.