PGW's
Universal Service Programs
General Information:
Where to Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for PGW’s Low Income
Programs by calling 1-215-235-1000.
What Are The Names Of PGW’s Programs?
How Can These Programs Benefit Me?
- CRP lowers your monthly
bill based on the amount of your household income.
- CWP helps
reduce household electric use resulting in lower bills.
- CARES
connects you to local social service agencies that can help
you.
- The Hardship Fund provides grants to stop shut-off
or to reconnect service.
The CRP Program
What are the actual benefits I can get in CRP?
Reduced
monthly payments:
- As a CRP customer, you will receive a sizeable
discount on your ongoing gas usage because your new bill
will be based on a percentage of your income, not on your
actual usage. This should lead to significant savings on
your bill.
Freezing past debt:
- If you were not enrolled in the CRP
program in the past, then when you enroll, your past debt
will be frozen. This means that as long as you make your
CRP payments on time and in full, PGW will not make collections
on that past due amount and no fees will be applied against
the debt.
- If you are removed from the CRP program for failing
to pay your CRP bill in full and on time, then PGW may begin
collection on this amount
Forgiving past debt:
- If you pay your CRP bill on time and
in full for six months and pay a $5 co-pay, you will have
1/36 of your outstanding debt to PGW forgiven. Thus, in 3
years you may have your full debt forgiven.
How do I know if I am eligible for CRP?
- You are eligible
for CRP 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 must also
agree to apply for LIHEAP and receive CWP services from PGW.
What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CRP?
- You must contact PGW to apply for CRP by calling 1-215-235-1000.
- You must fill out an application and verify your
income.
- You must pay your CRP bill on time and in full each
month.
Can I be removed from CRP?
- Yes, you may be removed from
CRP if you do not pay your CRP bills in full and on time each
month.
- 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 CRP if I am removed from the program?
- Yes.
If you are removed from CRP, you must pay all of your missed
CRP payments to be reinstated.
- If you are both removed from
CRP and have your service terminated, then special rules
apply for reenrollment into CRP:
- On the first removal, you
will have to pay all of your missed CRP payments and pay
a reconnection fee.
- After two or more removals, you will be
required to pay your full balance plus a reconnection fee.
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CWP Program
What is CWP?
- CWP helps households with high gas use
levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.
How can I qualify for CWP?
- You qualify for CWP if you
are a current CRP customer and have high gas usage.
What are the actual benefits of CWP?
- By participating
in CWP, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each
month.
- By participating in CWP, 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 CWP 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
The 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?
- You may qualify for CARES
if you are low income, have special needs, are payment troubled,
and have special circumstances.
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
PGW 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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The Hardship Fund
The Hardship Fund provides customers with cash assistance
to help pay down their outstanding balances.
What are the benefits of applying for a Hardship Fund 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 the Hardship Fund?
- Hardship
Fund grants may be requested all year.
How do I qualify for a Hardship Fund grant?
You must
meet the following requirements to qualify for a Hardship Fund
grant:
- Your household income must be at or below 175% of the
Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table
with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Your utility
service must be shut-off or in shut-off status
- You must not
have received a Hardship Fund grant in the past two years.
- You
must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs
when available.
- The grant must reduce utility bill to zero,
whether used alone or with other resources.
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