Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program

Dollar Energy Hardship Program is a grant program to help
people pay outstanding utility bills. 

To have any questions answered, please email uspledges@duqlight.com

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 or Through calling 1 888 282 6816

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP

1 877 395 8930

This is a grant program for low income households can apply for energy assistance grants.
Program usually opens in November/December and closes around April/May
Please look at website for specific timeline info each year

Crisis Grant- A LiHEAP Program

Crisis grants are available for customer facing electric service termination and will lose their heating. You can request the Crisis Grant be split between utilities (gas and electric)

Emergency situations include: 

• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed

• Termination of utility service

• Danger of being without fuel 

To Apply:

• Use Compass (see link below)

• Call the LiHEAP Helpline 1866 857 7095

• Contact one of the local assistance offices:

Greater Pittsburgh East District-
5947 Penn Ave Pittsburgh 15206
412 645 7400 or 412 645 7401

Southeast District
220 Sixth St. McKeesport PA 15132
412 664 6800 or 412 664 6801

Southern District
332 Fifth Ave Suite 230 Pittsburgh PA 15222
412 565 2232

Liberty District
914 Penn Ave Pittsburgh PA 15222
512 565 2652

H2O To Help Others Program-- American Water

Provides financial assistance in the form of grants and reduction in bills to eligible customers. Financial guidelines are on the webpage link provided. 

WATER SERVICE ASSISTANCE

• Grants of up to $500 per household per year.

• A 30% to 90% discount on the monthly service fee and a 20% to 80% discount on the monthly volumetric charges, which saves the average residential customer using 3,201 gallons/month $17.66 to $64.99 every month. *See chart below.

• Water-saving devices and education. The water-saving kit includes a low-flow shower head, faucet aerators, toilet tank diverter and non-toxic leak-detecting dye tablets. Also included is an educational booklet that explains how to install the devices and provides helpful tips on how to save water inside and outside the home, so customers can take an active part in reducing their water bill through wise water use.

• Arrearage Forgiveness Program to help customers pay off their past due account balance. 

WASTEWATER SERVICE ASSISTANCE

• Grants of up to $500 per household per year.

• A 37% to 85% discount on the total wastewater charges, which saves the average residential customer using 3,201 gallons/month $40.53 to $93.12 every month.

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