Managing Your Utility Bills

You can get help with your energy costs:

FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP can provide you with two kinds of financial assistance if you qualify for help: cash grants and crisis grants. Cash grants can help you pay for energy to heat your home or apartment in the winter. Crisis grants can help you deal with emergencies related to weather or energy supply problems.

LIHEAP can also provide emergency heating system repair and conservation assistance. LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW).

Eligible families can participate in any or all of LIHEAP’s components and can receive financial assistance to help heat their residence. For information about LIHEAP, you can contact PULP, DPW, your local county assistance office, or your utility company.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program can help low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. If you are eligible for the program, some of the services you might receive include installation of insulation, heating system replacements, and education on how to reduce energy waste.

The Weatherization Assistance Program is funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) but run by the individual states. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) administers the program. You can learn more about Weatherization Assistance through the DOE or DCED.

UTILITY PROGRAMS

Most large Pennsylvania utility companies are required by law to have programs to help low income customers keep their utility service. There are several different kinds of programs available to help you. Your utility company may offer one or more of these programs.

These programs may help you pay your utility bills or lower the amount of energy you use!

A general overview of the types of programs utility companies may offer is found below. For a specific description of your utility company’s programs, click here.

Budget Billing

Budget Billing programs are available to everyone at no cost. The goal of Budget Billing is to even out your monthly utility bills so that you don’t have very high bills in one season (for instance, to heat your home in winter), and then very low bills in another season (for instance, in spring, when you need neither heating nor air conditioning).

With Budget Billing, the utility company takes your total annual utility costs and divides that total evenly across all twelve months of the year, so that you make regular payments each month. This can help you plan your budget with greater accuracy, because your utility payments won’t change month to month. The utility company can adjust the amount of your monthly payments up to four times a year to compensate for higher or lower actual usage in your home.

Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

If you are having trouble paying your utilities, CAP can lower your monthly utility bills. Your income situation will be evaluated and, if you qualify, CAP will calculate your bills based on a percentage of your income or on a discounted rate so that your monthly payments will be lowered.

Some CAPs also include the forgiveness of outstanding past debts. In order to continue receiving CAP benefits, you need to make full and timely payment of ongoing CAP bills.

Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services Program (CARES)

CARES can help you by linking you up with local social service agencies and assistance programs. These local resources will then work with you to address the underlying problems that are preventing you from making prompt payment of utility bills.

Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)

LIURPs help you reduce the amount of energy you use, thereby reducing your overall energy bills. If you qualify, you will receive an energy audit to determine your household’s energy use. You may then receive the installation of free energy conservation measures to help reduce your household’s energy consumption, with the goal of reducing your monthly energy bill.

Hardship Funds

Hardship Funds can provide you with cash assistance if you need help paying your utility bill or if you still have a critical need for assistance after other resources have been exhausted. Hardship Fund programs make cash payments directly to your utility company.

Telephone Assistance Programs for Local Calling

Three programs are available statewide to help you with telephone service if you qualify: Lifeline, Link-Up, and Toll Limitation Service (TLS). Verizon also has an emergency assistance program, known as UTAP, if you are threatened with loss of basic phone service.

Lifeline reduces your monthly charges for basic telephone service. Link-Up reduces your cost to initiate new telephone service. Toll Limitation Service allows you to subscribe to toll blocking or toll control at no cost. In Pennsylvania, there are two Lifeline programs: Lifeline and Lifeline 135.