Hardship Grants / Funds (Utility Assistance)

Hardship Grants / Funds (Utility Assistance) is sponsored by Various Utility Companies (e.g., Columbia Gas, National Fuel Gas, PECO, Peoples Natural Gas, UGI Utilities). These grants offer cash assistance to low-income utility customers in Pennsylvania facing a crisis that prevents them from paying their utility bills.

Pennsylvania Gas & Electric Energy Aid - Dollar Energy Fund Pennsylvania Gas & Electric Energy Aid Pennsylvania Gas & Electric Energy Aid is a bill payment assistance program using donated funds to support Pennsylvania utility customers in crisis. Customers may be eligible to receive funds that are applied directly to their utility bill.

This program is designed to provide assistance above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Open from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, for services that are past due, under threat of disconnection, or already disconnected.

You do not need a disconnect notice to qualify. Funds are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available. Funds are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.

Partnering utility companies: Proof of Emergency Situation Individuals eligible for assistance are those who are experiencing an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency and who have exhausted alternative resources. Emergency situations generally include: Inability to work due to illness or injury Medical expenses Utility service termination or threat of termination. You do not need a disconnect notice to qualify.

Other extenuating circumstances that will endanger a vulnerable adult or child The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $350. 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 or reconnection fees. Total gross household income must be at or below 400% 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 400% Monthly 400% Yearly 1 $5,320 $63,840 2 $7,213 $86,560 3 $9,107 $109,280 4 $11,000 $132,000 5 $12,893 $154,720 6 $14,787 $177,440 7 $16,680 $200,160 8 $18,573 $222,880 Each add’l add $1,893 $22,720 Eligible customers may complete their application through the Pennsylvania Gas & Electric Energy Aid online portal.

Eligible customers may complete their application through the Pennsylvania Gas & Electric Energy Aid online portal.