Duquesne Light Company Pennsylvania Hardship Program

Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides assistance grants to Duquesne Light Company customers that are applied directly to their utility bill. Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

Program Dates

• Open from October 1, 2024, through November 30, 2024, for services that are off or in threat of termination.
• Open from December 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, for services that are off only.
• Open from February 1, 2025, through February 28, 2025, for services that are off or in threat of termination.
• Open from March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, to all eligible applicants regardless of service status.

If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program.

Sincere Effort of Payment

Applicants must have paid at least $150 on their accounts in the past three months.

Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $100 on their accounts in the three months prior to applying for a grant.

CAP customers who have not met the $150 ($100 for seniors) payment guideline may still qualify if they have made at least three CAP payments in the past three months.

Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.

Balance Requirement

Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their 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.

Maximum Grant

The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $600.

Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)

Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis

Additional Guidelines

• 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.
• Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.

Income Guidelines

Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.

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.