Equitable Gas Company's Universal Service Programs
General Information:
Where To Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for Equitable’s
Low Income Programs by calling Equitable. See your utility
bill for the proper number to call in your area.
What Are The Names Of Equitable’s Programs?
How Can These Programs Benefit Me?
- CAP lowers your monthly
bill based on the amount of your household income.
- LIURP
helps reduce household gas 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 gas usage. Your new CAP bill will
be based on your income level, rather than your actual gas
usage. This will lead to significant savings on your bill.
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, Equitable 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 Equitable
may begin collection on this amount.
Forgiving past debt:
- If you pay your CAP bill in full and
on time each month and pay a $5 co-pay each month, Equitable
will forgive your past debt over 4 years.
How do I know if I am eligible for CAP?
You are eligible
for CAP if:
- You have household income at or below 150% of
the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table
with the Federal poverty income guidelines);
- You use gas to
heat your home; and
- You agree to allow Equitable to include
you in a gas pooling arrangement for low income customers.
What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?
- You
must contact Equitable to apply for CAP.
- You must fill out
an application and verify your income.
- You must pay your CAP
bill on time and in full each month.
- If you have a frozen
debt, you must pay a $5 co-pay until your debt is totally
forgiven.
Can I be removed from CAP?
- Yes, you may be removed from
CAP if you miss two CAP payments.
- 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.
- If
you use too much gas, then you may be removed from the program.
Usage is limited to 110% of historical usage, which means
you can not use more than 10% more gas now that you are in
CAP then you did the year before you were in CAP.
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 in
addition to being removed from CAP, Equitable may require
additional payments prior to reconnection, such as security
deposits and reconnection fees.
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The LIURP Program
What is LIURP?
Equitable’ LIURP program helps
households with high gas use levels conserve energy and reduce
monthly energy bills.
How can I qualify for LIURP?
- You must use gas to heat
your home and have lived there for at least 1 year.
- You qualify
if you have a household income at or below 150% the Federal
poverty income guidelines OR if your household income is
at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines
and you have special needs. (click here for a table with
the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Renters or homeowners
may qualify.
- You must also have high gas use and an outstanding
balance of at least $750.
What are the actual benefits of LIURP?
- By participating
in LIURP, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each
month. This will most likely result in lower monthly bills.
- By
participating in LIURP, 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 LIURP 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
Equitable’ CARES program helps customers unable to pay
their gas 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?
- To qualify for Equitable’s
CARES you must be 60 years old or older, have special needs,
and have household income at or below 150% of 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
Equitable’ 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
Equitable’s $ 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 Equitable.
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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