UGI Penn Natural Gas'
Universal Service Programs
General Information:
Where To Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for Penn
Natural’s
Low Income Programs by calling 1-800-432-8017.
What Are The Names Of Penn Natural’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.
- Project Outreach 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 should 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, Penn Natural 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 Penn Natural
may begin collection on this amount.
Forgiving past debt:
- As a CAP customer, you will be required
to make co-payments on your past debt. Your payment will
be between $5.00 and $9.00, depending on your income level.
For each month you pay your CAP bill plus this co-payment
on time and in full, Penn Natural will credit you an additional
$5.00 toward your past due debt.
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 must use natural gas to heat your residence,
and you must be having problems paying your bill.
What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?
- You
must contact Penn Natural at 1-800-432-8017 to apply for CAP.
- You must fill out an application and verify your
income, as well as recertify this information at the company’s
request.
- You must pay your CAP bill on time and in full each
month.
- CAP participants must also apply for the LIHEAP program.
Can I be removed from CAP?
- Yes, you may be removed from
CAP if you fail to pay your CAP payments in full and on time.
- 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 be reinstated in the program, you must pay all of
your missed CAP bills.
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The LIURP Program
What is LIURP?
- Penn Natural’s LIURP helps households
with high gas use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly
energy bills.
How can I qualify for LIURP?
- You must have household
income of 150% or less of the Federal poverty income guidelines
(click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Penn Natural reserves some of its LIURP services
for households between 150% and 200% of the Federal poverty
income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal
poverty income guidelines).
- Customers who live in the Wilkes
Barre and Scranton areas also must use 1,500 ccf of gas annually
to be eligible. Customers in the Williamsport area must use
1300 ccf of gas annually to be eligible..
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
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?
- If you have a delinquent
balance or an inability to pay your gas bill, you may qualify
for CARES.
- You must use natural gas to heat your residence.
- Seniors or customers with a special needs (such as
job loss, disability, loss of the head of the household,
or temporary illness) are also eligible.
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
Penn Natural 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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Project Outreach
The Project Outreach program provides customers with cash
assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances.
What are the benefits of applying for an Project Outreach
grant?
- By participating in Project Outreach, you may
receive up to a $200 cash grant that will be paid directly
to the utility on your behalf.
When can I request a grant from Project Outreach?
- The
program is open all year long.
How do I qualify for an Project Outreach grant?
You
can qualify for Project Outreach if:
- You have an outstanding
balance on your bill.
- You total household income is at or
below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click
here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- You
have a special circumstance that is preventing you from being
able to pay your bill.
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