| Answer | Who should I contact about utility bill assistance or utility shut-off?LIHEAP (215) 560-1583 or (866) 857-7095PECO (800) 774-7040Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) (215) 235-1000Water Department (215) 685-6300You Should Know:
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The Public Utilities Commission states that anyone whose household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level — about $65,000 a year for a family of three — can be protected from utility terminations. Under state law, publicly regulated utility companies are obligated to tell consumers how to avoid termination. That might include assistance programs they may be eligible for, many of which are funded by the state.
The protection may prevent shut-off from October until May. No qualifying residential utility customer should have their service turned off without first getting information about financial hardship protection and payment assistance programs. Check with the utility first, however, as rules can change.
The Philadelphia Water Department, which is not regulated by the PUC, is not allowed to shut off customers until June 30.
Public Utility Commission (PUC) Dial (800) 692-7380 to make a complaint about a utility company.
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Further Information:
Heating/Energy
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Neighborhood Energy Centers - serve as “one-stop-shops” for all low-income energy customers. Staff provides budget counseling and intake for conservation and home-repair programs that offer more permanent solutions to the problem of energy affordability. Energy services include budget counseling, energy conservation education, weatherization assistance, PECO and PGW Customer Assistance Programs, Water Conservation Program. Visit the ECA website for a list of centers at www.ecasavesenergy.org and click on "Neighborhood Energy Centers."
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Grants - helps low-income homeowners and renters pay their heating bills. New applicants should call the hotline at (215) 560-1583 or (866) 857-7095 or apply at a Neighborhood Energy Center. For more information visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx.
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The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians – provides assistance to low-income applicants age 60 and over who have a utility shut-off or whose utilities will be shut off in five working days or less. It also delivers heating oil to eligible clients whose supply is deleted or near exhaustion. For more information, visit the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) at 642 N. Broad St. Philadelphia PA 19130 or call (215) 765-9040 or visit www.pcacares.org.
PECO Energy offers the following programs - CAP RATE: offers four discounted residential tariff rates for low-income electric and gas customers. The percentage of discount is based on the gross household income of the customer. For more information on CAP RATES call (800) 774-7040 or visit www.peco.com. PECO lists programs on its website.
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CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REFERRAL AND EVALUATION SERVICES (CARES) – provides support and direction to help customers who have temporary personal or financial hardships pay their utility bills. For more information on CARES call (800) 774-7040 or visit www.peco.com.
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LOW-INCOME USAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM (LIURP) – can help customers lower the amount of gas and electricity used. The program installs free weatherization measures and teaches conservation education. For more information on LIURP call (800) 675-0222 or visit www.peco.com.
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MATCHING ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUND (MEAF) – assists low-income residential customers with bill payment. Funded by customer contributions that PECO matches. For more information on MEAF call (800) 774-7040 or visit www.peco.com.
Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) offers the following programs to customers. Further information on all programs can be obtained by calling (215) 235-1000 or by visiting the company’s website at www.pgworks.com:
PGW’s Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Program (CARES)-
PGW’s CARES program provides payment assistance to residential customers with special circumstances. These might include medical emergencies, unemployment or other temporary hardships. For more information or to find out if you qualify for CARES, contact PGW at (215) 235-1000.
PGW’s Budget Billing- If you are a residential customer in good standing who gets hit with higher gas bills in the winter or would like a more stable monthly bill, PGW offers budget billing. Budget billing estimates your yearly gas usage and divides the total evenly over a 12-month period. This evens out your payments over the course of the year and helps you predict how much you should budget for your heating costs every month. Call (215) 235-1000 to get started.
PGW’s Low-Income Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) - CRP is PGW’s low-income customer assistance program that is designed to provide participants with a consistent, discounted bill each month to help them better afford their bills and keep gas service on. By paying on time each month, in less than three years, participants will eliminate the entire past due balance. The agreement amount is based on household size and gross household income. Customers can apply in person or by mail. To learn more or download an application, please visit https://www.pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/crp.
Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) - A UESF grant is designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill. The maximum UESF grant amount for PGW customers is $1,500, of which 50% is paid by PGW. Customers can apply for grants at designated UESF Intake Sites (https://www.pgworks.com/uploads/media/UESF-Intake-Sites.pdf). Customers are eligible to apply for UESF once every two years, based on eligibility guidelines that can be found at (https://www.pgworks.com/uploads/pdfs/UESFEligibility.pdf).
For more information please call the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) (215) 972-5170 or visit www.uesfacts.org.
PGW’s CRP Home Comfort Program – Select customers in PGW’s CRP Bill Payment Assistance Program are chosen for the CRP Home Comfort Program to receive free energy assessments and energy efficiency measures. Customers who are selected for the program receive a letter from PGW and a phone call from a program contractor. If selected for the program, customers must accept the energy assessment before continuing to receive CRP bill payment assistance. For questions, call PGW at (215) 235-1000. No additional application is necessary.
PGW’s EnergySense - PGW’s EnergySense Programs offer grants and rebates for energy efficiency upgrades and gas appliances to customers, including rebates up to $1,500 for high-efficiency residential-sized gas boilers and up to $500 for furnaces rated above 94% AFUE efficiency. Customers can learn more by visiting www.pgwenergysense.com or calling (855) PGW-SOLVES.
Water - See How can I avoid water shut off? Every Wednesday from 10-2, residents can apply for assistance in just minutes online. https://www.phila.gov/2023-08-01-new-get-one-on-one-help-applying-for-water-bill-assistance/
The Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) provides customers with significant savings by offering a consistent bill based on their income. Call (215) 685-6300 for more information. Residential customers are currently protected from shutoff through June 30, 2022. But unpaid bills will continue to grow.
LIHWAP Provides up to $5,000 in Water Bill Assistance: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides up to $5,000 for qualifying Philadelphia Water Department customers with delinquent water bills. Information and application links are available at dhs.pa.gov/waterhelp. Request an application by calling the Statewide Customer Service Center at (877) 395-8930 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
Program highlights include:
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Customers do not have to be behind on their bill
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Approximately 60,000 customers are eligible
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Ways to apply: Online, in-person, and by mail
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Income-based, consistent monthly bill
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Past due amounts are suspended and not enforced upon while enrolled in the program
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Only a single application is required
TAP replaces the current Water Revenue Assistance Program (WRAP) and the City Grant is no longer be available.
All customers are encouraged to apply for assistance, as there may be a better program that suits their needs.
For more information on TAP, please call (215) 685-6300 or visit www.phila.gov/water-bill-help. |
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