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Peoples' COVID-19 Response


As a utility that provides critical public services, our focus is on ensuring the continued reliability and safety of our natural gas service for our customers, as well as the health and safety of our employees. That commitment is at the core of our response to COVID-19.

Peoples is actively monitoring the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” outbreak globally and in the U.S. We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities to continuously monitor the situation and evaluate our operational response plans.

Our preparedness efforts include providing ongoing guidance and resources to our employees to mitigate the spread of acute respiratory illness, lessen the potential impact of COVID-19 in our facilities and maintain business operations. At this time, we do not anticipate any disruptions or impact to our services as a result of the outbreak.

We will continue to provide any relevant updates as this situation evolves. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter, where we will also be posting updates.

Updates


  • Assistance for WV Customers

    WV LIEAP is accepting applications starting on Monday, January 11th and will remain open until January 29th. Funds are limited, so apply now. The maximum grant is $1,000 per household.

    WV customers can also apply for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Fund, which provides grants up to $500. You may be eligible if your income is up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. 

    Learn More
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - Doorstep Delivery

    The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has rolled out full-scale doorstep distribution to recipients who can’t get to its drive-up events. People can sign up for delivery by calling the food bank at 412-460-3663 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    Learn More
  • Help with Rent or Mortgage for Allegheny County Residents

    Pittsburgh and Allegheny County renters and homeowners can apply for assistance from state and local funds. The CARES Rent Relief Program and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh are both offering aid. 
    Learn More
  • PUC Offers Lifeline Program for Phone and Internet Service

    The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Lifeline Telephone and Broadband Assistance Program sets up eligible Pennsylvania households with low cost telephone and broadband services. Read on for more details about the program, a list of eligibility criteria, and instructions on how to apply. If you have any questions, please contact the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9743 or LifelineSupport@usac.org to get the help you need. 

    Learn More
  • LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Program Provides Utility Relief

    In response to COVID-19, additional help with utility bills is now available for Pennsylvania residents through the LIHEAP spring/summer crisis program. You can learn more about the program here.

    Apply Now
  • Customer Assistance Program

    If you currently have a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) payment plan through Peoples and your income has changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we encourage you to reach out to us. If your income has gone down, we can re-evaluate your CAP payment to see if it should be lowered. If you are not in CAP and your income has been affected by COVID-19, please contact us at 1-800-400-9276 or peopleshelps@peoples-gas.com to learn about our CAP payment option.
    More Assistance Options
  • Limiting Non-Emergency Field Work

    To adhere to social distancing guidelines, we have reduced field work that requires close contact, and have minimized the need for multiple employees in a vehicle. Critical construction work will continue in order to keep our communities safe, which will help maintain employment for the companies and vendors who support these projects.
  • Peoples Donating $100,000 to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

    In an effort to help those who are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic, Peoples has donated $100,000 to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. As a division of Essential Utilities, Inc, Peoples will also be making donations to other food banks across our service territory to help support those in need.
    Read Story
  • CEO Chris Franklin Shares Gratitude for Essential Workers

    When Aqua and Peoples became divisions of Essential Utilities, Inc. in March, we didn’t realize that the word “essential” would quickly take on a new meaning. Essential workers around the country are helping us get through this COVID-19 outbreak, and our CEO Chris Franklin shares his gratitude for them all in this op-ed.
    Read Op-Ed
  • Essential Utilities Prepared for COVID-19

    Now that Peoples is part of the Essential Utilities family of companies, we wanted to share an update about the COVID-19 response from Essential.

    Essential is closely monitoring the outbreak throughout its combined 10 state service territory, and is continuing to work closely with the CDC and local authorities to address the situation and evaluate operational response plans.

    Read Press Release
  • Operations

    We have implemented a strong and exercised business continuity plan to maintain safe, reliable natural gas service while ensuring the health and safety of our customers and employees.

    Customers can continue to contact our Customer Service Center for routine account, service, or billing questions at 1-800-764-0111 or contactus@peoples-gas.com

    At this time, we do not anticipate any disruptions or impact to our services as a result of the outbreak. Our 24/7 emergency response number is available at 1-800-400-4271. 

  • Employee Health and Safety Measures

    In order to maintain the health and safety of our employees, we've implemented new safety measures, including:

    • Instructing employees to work remotely, if their job responsibilities allow them to do so
    • Postponing employee travel and cancelling in-person meetings, when possible
    • Creating new protocols in the office so those employees who must work from our critical facilities can do so safely and minimize risks
    • Regularly educating employees about COVID-19 and promoting health and wellness measures

News & Resources


  • Help a Peoples Customer with Their Gas Bill

    Do you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who is struggling with their bills because of COVID-19? If they're a Peoples customer, consider giving them a Gift of Warmth gift card. The Gift of Warmth is a digital gift card that is applied directly to any customer's account.
    Learn More
  • Domestic Violence Resources

    Stay-at-home orders aimed at keeping communities healthy may also be triggering an increase in the severity and frequency of violence in homes, while limiting the ability to reach out for help. When safe to make contact, free and confidential help is available through all local domestic violence programs:

    Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh:

    Crisis Center North:

    Alle-Kiski Hope Center:

    • 1-888-299-4673 (24/7 hotline)
  • How to Report a Possible Scam Targeting Peoples Customers

    More scams and cybersecurity attacks are popping up every day. We created two new options on our Contact Form, so customers can quickly report possible scams or cybersecurity concerns. You can also call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-764-0111 to report a suspected scam targeting Peoples customers.
  • Cyber Alert: Stimulus Package Scams

    Criminals are taking advantage of the recently passed COVID-19 relief and stimulus package. They are contacting potential victims via email, text messages, robo-calls, and other platforms with phony messages claiming the recipient needs to click on a link or provide information in order to receive stimulus funds.

    Please do not click on any such links or attachments!

    The U.S. Secret Service stresses that individuals seeking information about the stimulus/relief program should visit the specific government agency's website for guidance. Individuals should follow the guidelines published on those government websites.

  • FEMA Launches Coronavirus Rumor Control

    Through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FEMA is now offering a resource to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Their three key pieces of advice:

    1. Don't believe the rumors
    2. Don't pass them along
    3. Go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the federal COVID-19 response
    Visit FEMA Sita
  • Tips to Avoid Scams

    The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in an increase in scam activity. We urge all customers to be cautious regarding any unsolicited calls that threaten to turn off your utility service or that demand payment, especially by unusual means, such as a gift card. If you receive a suspicious call, please hang up immediately and call us at 1-800-764-0111. 

    You can also review the article below for a few quick tips to help you avoid scams.

    Get Tips