Dollar Energy Fund

Hardship Program

The Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program assists eligible utility customers with their gas, electric and water bills. Eligible customers receive a one-time grant applied directly to their utility bill.

Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program:

  • Provides a grant directly to your utility account
  • Available to customers who may not be eligible for LIHEAP
  • Income Guidelines: at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

Am I eligible?

  • Use our Income Calculator to find out if you qualify based on income. Customers who are eligible for Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program will have gross (before tax) income that is between 0 percent and 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
  • Have you made a sincere effort to pay your utility bills? To be eligible, you must have paid at least $150 towards your gas or electric bill or $100 toward your water bill 90 days prior to applying.

How To Apply

You must meet all guidelines to be eligible to receive a grant. Click here to review our eligibility guidelines.

Step 1

Contact your utility company. Click here for a list of utility company telephone numbers.

Your utility company will screen you for eligibility and refer you to a Community Based Organization (CBO) in your area that will assist you with the application process. Your utility company will also be able to tell you about other programs that may be available to help you.

Step 2

Make an appointment with the CBO you were referred to. Hours vary for each organization. Click here to use our Agency Finder to locate all CBOs in your area.

Step 3

Bring all necessary information to your appointment at the CBO. You will need:

  • Names of everyone in your household
  • Birthdates of everyone in your household
  • Social Security Numbers for everyone in your household.
  • Proof of income of everyone in your household
  • A copy of your most recent utility bill
  • Your utility account number
  • Proof of all payments made in the last 90 days

Step 4

Complete the application with the CBO intake worker. Once the application is complete, the CBO will submit the application to Dollar Energy Fund.

Step 5

You will receive written notification by mail of your grant decision within four to six weeks. If you are awarded a grant, the money will be applied directly to your utility account.

Step 6

Continue to make regular utility payments. A Dollar Energy Fund grant is not a substitute for your regular monthly payment.