Hardship Funds / Grants (Utility Assistance)

Hardship Funds / Grants (Utility Assistance) is sponsored by Various Local Utility Companies (e.g., Central Hudson Good Neighbor Fund, NYSEG Project SHARE, National Grid Hope & Warmth Energy Fund, West Virginia American Water, MonPower, Potomac Edison, Hope Gas, Mountaineer Gas). These programs provide cash grants to help low-income utility customers resolve crises preventing them from paying their utility bills.

West Virginia Utility Assistance Program - Dollar Energy Fund Electric, Gas, Wastewater, Water West Virginia Utility Assistance Program Grant funds for West Virginia American Water have been exhausted and the program is now closed. 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 West Virginia American Water: Open from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, for services that are off only. For customers of other utilities: Open from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, 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. Sincere Effort of Payment 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 Appalachian Power, Hope Gas, and Mountaineer 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 .

MonPower and Potomac Edison customers age 62 or older, may have a $0 balance as long as there is no existing credit on the account. 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. (101/2025 – 9/30/2026) 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 $2,660 $31,920 2 $3,607 $43,280 3 $4,553 $54,640 4 $5,500 $66,000 5 $6,447 $77,360 6 $7,393 $88,720 7 $8,340 $100,080 8 $9,287 $111,440 Each add’l add $947 $11,360 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 $1,995 $23,940 2 $2,705 $32,460 3 $3,415 $40,980 4 $4,125 $49,500 5 $4,835 $58,020 6 $5,545 $66,540 7 $6,255 $75,060 8 $6,965 $83,580 Each add’l add $710 $8,520 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. Call 211 for information on applying for the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.

You can also contact your utility company for information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers.

Appalachian Power Company: 1-800-982-4237 Mon Power: 1-800-686-0022 Potomac Edison: 1-800-686-0011 Mountaineer Gas: 1-800-834-2070 West Virginia American Water: 1-800-685-8660 The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program also partners with a network of Community Based Organizations throughout the state. These dedicated agencies provide application intake services for clients.

Find an agency in your area with Dollar Energy Fund’s Agency Finder . Call 211 for information on applying for the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program. You can also contact your utility company for information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers.

Appalachian Power Company: 1-800-982-4237 Mon Power: 1-800-686-0022 Potomac Edison: 1-800-686-0011 Mountaineer Gas: 1-800-834-2070 West Virginia American Water: 1-800-685-8660 The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program also partners with a network of Community Based Organizations throughout the state. These dedicated agencies provide application intake services for clients.

Find an agency in your area with Dollar Energy Fund’s Agency Finder .