Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program

Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program is sponsored by Dollar Energy Fund. Offers utility assistance grants to low-income households to help maintain essential services like gas, electric, water, and wastewater.

FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Hardship Program (Met-Ed, Penn Power, Penelec, West Penn Power) - Dollar Energy Fund FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Hardship Program (Met-Ed, Penn Power, Penelec, West Penn Power) Grant funds for Met-Ed have been exhausted and the program is now closed. 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.

Partnering FirstEnergy Utility Companies 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. Starting March 1, 2026, the program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of service status.

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. 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 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 $600. Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year.

(10/1/2025 – 9/30/2026) 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.

The grant can be used to pay reconnection fees. 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 $3,325 $39,900 2 $4,508 $54,100 3 $5,692 $68,300 4 $6,875 $82,500 5 $8,058 $96,700 6 $9,242 $110,900 7 $10,425 $125,100 8 $11,608 $139,300 Each add’l add $1,183 $14,200 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. The best way to start seeking help is by calling your utility company . They will provide you with information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers.

Dollar Energy also partners with a network of Community Based Organizations throughout the state to provide application intake services for clients. Find an agency in your area with Dollar Energy Fund’s Agency Finder . Eligible FirstEnergy customers may be able to complete portions of their application through our online MyApp portal .

The best way to start seeking help is by calling your utility company . They will provide you with information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers. Dollar Energy also partners with a network of Community Based Organizations throughout the state to provide application intake services for clients.

Find an agency in your area with Dollar Energy Fund’s Agency Finder . Eligible FirstEnergy customers may be able to complete portions of their application through our online MyApp portal .