Peoples encourages customers to apply for home heating grant through Dollar Energy Fund
Eligible customers can receive up to $500 in heating assistance
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (September 28, 2023) – Peoples Natural Gas, an Essential Utilities company, encourages customers experiencing financial hardship to apply for a grant through the 2023-2024 Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) assistance program, opening Sunday, October 1. Peoples customers can access grants of up to $500 through DEF, available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.
To be eligible for a one-time payment from DEF, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and meet the following criteria:
- Gas service is off or in threat of termination
- Applied for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)/Crisis benefits (when available)
- Account is for residential service (single family or apartment)
- Name on the account is an adult currently living in the household
- Made a good faith payment to the account (within the last 90 days of applying for the grant)
Customers can use DEF’s income calculator to determine if their gross income is within the eligibility range.
“At Peoples, we’re committed to providing clean, safe, reliable natural gas service, and ensuring that service is affordable,” said Essential Utilities Director of Community Assistance Programs Rita Black. “We can all use a helping hand sometimes, especially during the colder months, and we want our customers to know we’re here to help.”
Peoples customers can visit https://www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp/ to apply or contact their local DEF agency for assistance. You’re also encouraged to apply for LIHEAP, a federally funded assistance program through the Department of Human Services, beginning November 1. In addition to DEF grants, Peoples offers several programs to assist those in need with paying bills and making home repairs or improvements that improve energy efficiency.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.
About Peoples
Peoples, an Essential Utilities company, provides natural gas service to approximately 750,000 homes and businesses in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Peoples is committed to its customers, its employees, the environment, and to the regions it serves. For more information, visit peoples-gas.com and follow Peoples on social media @peoplesnatgas.
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