Duquesne Light Company's Universal Service
Programs
General Information:
Where To Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for Duquesne’s Low
Income Programs by calling 1-888-393-7600.
What Are The Names Of Duquesne’s Programs?
How Can These Programs Benefit Me?
- CAP lowers your monthly
electric bill based on the amount of your household income.
- Smart Comfort helps reduce household electric use resulting
in lower bills.
- CARES connects you to local social service
agencies that can help you.
- $ Energy Hardship Assistance provides
grants to stop shut-off or to reconnect service.
The CAP Program
What are the actual benefits I can get in CAP?
Reduced
monthly payments:
- As a CAP customer, you will receive a sizeable
discount on your ongoing electric usage.
Freezing past debt:
- If you were not enrolled in the CAP program
in the past, then when you enroll, your past debt will be
frozen. This means that as long as you make your CAP payments
on time and in full, Duquesne will not make collections on
that past due amount and no fees will be applied against
the debt
- If
you are removed from the CAP program for failing to pay your
CAP bill in full and on time, then Duquesne may begin collection
on this amount.
Forgiving past debt:
- If you pay your CAP bill in full and
on time each month, Duquesne will forgive 1/36th of your
past debt. At this rate, if you pay in full and on time each
month, your entire debt will by erased in 3 years.
How do I know if I am eligible for CAP?
- If you are
under 62 years of age, then you are eligible if you have
a household income of 150% of the Federal poverty income
guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty
income guidelines) AND have an overdue balance or inability
to pay for service.
- If you are 62 years of age or older, then
you are eligible if have a household income of 200% of the
Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table
with the Federal poverty income guidelines) AND have an overdue
balance or inability to pay for service.
What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?
- You must contact Duquesne to apply. You can call them
at 1-888-393-7600.
- You must fill out an application and verify
your income.
- You must pay your CAP bill on time and in full
each month.
Can I be removed from CAP?
- Yes, you may be removed from
CAP if you do not pay your CAP bill in full and on time each
month. Duquesne has a strict policy of contacting customers
within 5 days of a missed CAP bill. If payment is not promptly
made after this 5 day contact, then Duquesne begins termination
proceedings.
- If your household income increases above the
eligibility guidelines, or you do not provide the requested
annual income information, or you do not comply with program
guidelines, then you may be removed from the program.
Can I get back into CAP if I am removed from the program?
- Yes.
To get back into CAP, you must pay all of the CAP bills you
missed. If your service has been terminated, you will also
be required to pay a reconnection fee.
- If a termination
lasts for more than two weeks, Duquesne will also require
a past CAP customer to repeat the CAP application process
prior to reenrollment in CAP.
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The Smart Comfort Program
What is Smart Comfort?
Duquesne’ Smart Comfort
program helps households with high electric use levels conserve
energy and reduce monthly energy bills.
How can I qualify for Smart Comfort?
- If you are under
62 years of age, you must have a household income at or below
150% the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for
a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- If you
are 62 years of age or older, you must have a household income
at or below 200% the Federal poverty income guidelines (click
here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Additionally,
you must use at least 500 kWh of electric per month and have
lived in your residence for at least six months. The residency
requirement does not apply to CAP customers or homeowners
who have electric heat.
What are the actual benefits of Smart Comfort?
- By participating
in Smart Comfort, you may reduce the amount of energy you
use each month. This will most likely result in lower monthly
bills.
- By participating in Smart Comfort, you will receive a
free home energy usage review, education to help you learn
how to reduce your energy use, and the installation of energy
conservation measures (i.e. the replacement of old appliances
with new energy efficient ones).
What are my responsibilities as a Smart Comfort participant?
- To
receive services, you must agree to submit verification of
your household income as part of the application process.
- As
a participant, you must agree to allow a utility employee
(or subcontractor) inspect your residence and perform an
energy audit.
- You must also agree to allow a utility employee
(or subcontractor) to inspect your residence one year after
the conservation measures are installed. This allows the
utility to determine if the conservation measures have been
cost effective and helped you to reduce your energy consumption.
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The
CARES Program
Duquesne’ CARES program helps customers unable to pay
their electric bills due to a temporary hardship. The CARES
program connects customers with resources located in their
own community. These community resources then help the customer
manage his/her problems.
How do I qualify for CARES?
- If you are under 62 years
of age, you must have a household income at or below 150%
the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table
with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- If you are 62
years of age or older, you must have a household income at
or below 200% the Federal poverty income guidelines (click
here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
What are the benefits to me of participating in CARES?
- Participants
in CARES can receive free referrals to assistance agencies
in the local community, such as a nonprofit organization
or social service agency.
- Participants in CARES can receive
referrals to other Duquesne’ Universal Services programs.
- Participants
in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending
on their payment history and on their specific situation.
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$
Energy Hardship Fund Program
Duquesne’ $ Energy Hardship Fund program provides customers
with cash assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances.
This program is operated by $ Energy Fund, a nonprofit partner
of Duquesne.
What are the benefits of applying for a $ Energy grant?
If
you qualify, you may receive up to $500 toward the payment
of your past due utility debt.
When can I request a grant from $ Energy Fund?
- From
October to February, only customers whose service is off
can apply for a grant.
- March through September, any customer
may apply for a grant.
How do I qualify for a $ Energy Hardship grant?
If
you are below 62 years of age:
- You must have household income
at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines
(click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines);
- You
must have paid at least $150 toward your bill over the past
90 days;
- You must have more than $100 as a past due balance.
If you
are 62 years or older:
- You must have household income at or
below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click
here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines),
and
- You must have paid at least $100 toward your bill over
the past 90 days
- If you qualify to receive a LIHEAP grant
from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, then
you must apply for one before you can apply for a $ Energy
Fund grant.
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