Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to Wellsboro Electric 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.
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program.
Applicants must have paid at least $150 on their accounts in the past three months. Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid at least $75 on their accounts.
Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
Applicants 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.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $800.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
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.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to FirstEnergy 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.
Met-Ed, a FirstEnergy Company
Penelec, a FirstEnergy Company
Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company
West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program.
The program is open for Penn Power customers whose service is off only. For Met-Ed, Penelec, and West Penn Power customers, grant funds have been exhausted and the program is now closed.
Customers of FirstEnergy with a total household income of 150% or below the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines must inquire about FirstEnergy’s PCAP program before applying for a grant. FirstEnergy PCAP customers may be eligible to receive a grant, pending utility company review.
Applicants must have paid 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.
Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
Applicants 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.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
Total gross household income must be at or below 250% 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.
Household income should be calculated using the before tax amount for all household members, including minors. Minor income includes child support, SS, and DPA cash assistance, but does not include wages.
| Household Size | 250% Monthly | 250% Yearly |
| 1 | $3,138 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $4,258 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $5,379 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $6,500 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $7,621 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $8,742 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $9,863 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $10,983 | $131,800 |
| Each add’l add | $1,121 | $13,450 |
Grant funds for Duquesne Light Company have been exhausted and the program is now closed.
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.
Starting March 1, 2024, the program is open 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.
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.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their bill of at least $100.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis
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.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to Citizens Electric 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.
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program.
Applicants 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.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $600.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
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.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
The Special Reduced Rate Service Program (SRRS) was established by West Virginia state government to assist eligible participants in receiving a 20 percent discount from their utility company.
In order to qualify for the SRRS program, applicants must be:
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in West Virginia with their heat bills. The program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Eligible customers must apply for LIEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.
To be eligible for LIEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for LIEAP.
Grant funds for Mountaineer Gas and Hope Gas have been exhausted and those programs are now closed.
On June 3, 2024, Appalachian Power opened its cooling season for West Virginia seniors 65 years of age or older who have not previously received a grant this program year.
Dollar Energy Fund’s West Virginia Utility Assistance Program assists eligible utility customers with their gas, electric and water bills. Eligible customers receive a one-time grant applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program provides grants to qualified utility customers on a first come, first serve basis while funding is available and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
For customers of Appalachian Power:
On June 3, 2024, Appalachian Power opened its cooling season for West Virginia seniors 65 years of age or older who have not previously received a grant this program year. Services must be off or in threat of termination.
For customer of other utilities:
Open from October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024, for services that are off or in threat of termination.
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and E-LIHEAP before applying for the WV Utility Assistance Program.
For Mountaineer Gas customers, no sincere effort of payment is required.
For MonPower and Potomac Edison customers, applicants must have paid at least $150 on their account in the past three months. Any applicant age 62 years of age or older will have a payment requirement for electric utilities of $100.
For Hope Gas customers, applicants must have paid at least $100 on their account in the past three months. Any applicant age 62 years of age or older will have a payment requirement of $75.
For Appalachian Power customers, seniors 65 years of age or older must have paid at least $75 on their account in the past three months.
For West Virginia American Water customers, all applicants must have paid least $50 on their account in the past three months.
Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
Applicants for all utilities must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
The maximum grant amount for Appalachian Power Company customers is $300. The maximum grant amount for West Virginia American Water customers is $350 twice a year for a total of $700 annual. Applicants for all other utility companies may receive up to $500.
With the exception of West Virginia American Water customers, applicants of all other utility companies can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
West Virginia American Water customers can apply every six months.
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
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.
Total gross household income for West Virginia American Water customers must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Household Size 200% Monthly 200% Yearly 1 $2,510 $30,120 2 $3,407 $40,880 3 $4,303 $51,640 4 $5,200 $62,400 5 $6,097 $73,160 6 $6,993 $83,920 7 $7,890 $94,680 8 $8,787 $105,440 Each add’l add $897 $10,760
Total gross household income for customers of all other utility companies must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Household Size 150% Monthly 150% Yearly 1 $1,883 $22,590 2 $2,555 $30,660 3 $3,228 $38,730 4 $3,900 $46,800 5 $4,573 $54,870 6 $5,245 $62,940 7 $5,918 $71,010 8 $6,590 $79,080 Each add’l add $673 $8,070
Use our Income Calculator, or the chart above, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
Verification of income or proof of LIHEAP or E-LIHEAP 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.
The Energy Assistance Program (EA) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Virginia with their heat bills. The program is administered by the Department of Social Services. When the program is open, eligible customers must apply for EA funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s Virginia Utility Assistance Program.
Customers who are eligible for the EA Program will have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for EA.
The Virginia Utility Assistance Program includes Hardship Programs administered by Dollar Energy Fund and assists eligible utility customers with their Appalachian Power Company, Old Dominion Power, Columbia Gas of Virginia and Virginia American Water Company bills. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Dollar Energy Fund’s Virginia Utility Assistance Program provides grants to qualified utility customers on a first come, first serve basis while funding is available and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis. Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
All applicants must provide verification of income. Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open. 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.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
The Neighbor to Neighbor Program is open from October 2, 2023, through March 31, 2024, for services that are off or in threat of termination. Applicants must have made a sincere effort of payment of at least $100 on their Appalachian Power account in the three months prior to applying for a grant. Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $75 on their accounts in the three months prior to applying for a grant. Applicants must have an outstanding balance of at least $100. The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $300.
Grant funds for Old Dominion Power have been exhausted and the program is now closed.
The WinterShare Program is open from October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024, for services that are off or in threat of termination. Applicants, including Senior Citizens age 62 and over, must have made a sincere effort of payment of at least $100 on their Old Dominion Power Company account in the three months prior to applying for a grant. Applicants must have an outstanding balance of at least $100. The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $250.
Grant funds for Columbia Gas have been exhausted and the program is now closed.
The HeatShare Program is open from October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024, for heating accounts only that are off or in threat of termination. Exceptions apply for Columbia Gas customers who are Senior Citizens. Applicants must have made a sincere effort of payment of at least $50 on their Columbia Gas account in the three months prior to applying for a grant. Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $25. Applicants must have an outstanding balance of at least $100. Senior Citizens may have a $50 balance as long as there is no existing credit on the account. The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
The H2O-Help to Others Program is open from October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024, for services that are off or in threat of termination. Applicants, including Senior Citizens age 62 and over, must have made a sincere effort of payment of at least $50 in the last three months. Applicants must have an outstanding balance of at least $50. The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Total gross household income for Appalachian Power Company, Old Dominion Power Company and Virginia American Water Company customers must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Household Size 150% Monthly 150% Yearly 1 $1,883 $22,590 2 $2,555 $30,660 3 $3,228 $38,730 4 $3,900 $46,800 5 $4,573 $54,870 6 $5,245 $62,940 7 $5,918 $71,010 8 $6,590 $79,080 Each add’l add $673 $8,070
Total gross household income for Columbia Gas of Virginia customers must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Household Size 175% Monthly 175% Yearly 1 $2,196 $26,355 2 $2,981 $35,770 3 $3,765 $45,185 4 $4,550 $54,600 5 $5,335 $64,015 6 $6,119 $73,430 7 $6,904 $82,845 8 $7,688 $92,260 Each add’l add $785 $9,415
Use our Income Calculator, or the charts above, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.