Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: If you are struggling to afford your utility bills, you should start by contacting your utility provider directly. Your utility provider will be able to tell you about assistance programs that may be available to help you.

Step 2: Apply online by visiting MyApp Connect from any device, 24/7. One application covers gas, electric, water and wastewater assistance for our participating utility partners, so there are no duplicate applications, and you can securely upload your bill and income documents in the same place.

Other ways to apply, depending on your program:

• In person: Some programs also offer in-person intake through a community-based agency. Use our Agency Finder to find an agency near you and make an appointment.
• By phone: Some programs also allow you to apply by phone.
• By mail: A paper application is available upon request.

Step 3: To complete your application without delays, we recommend gathering the following information and documents before you begin: a copy of your most recent utility bill; household information including names, dates of birth, and details for everyone living in your home; and proof of income for all household members.

Step 4: If you are awarded a grant, the money is applied directly to your utility account. If the grant is not approved, you will receive a notification by email. Continue to make your regular utility payments in the meantime — a Dollar Energy Fund grant is not a substitute for your regular monthly payment.

Yes. MyApp Connect is available for every program we administer. You can apply for gas, electric, water and wastewater assistance from participating utility partners in one place, from any device, at any time, and submit your documents through the same secure upload, with no duplicate applications and no paper forms. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

MyApp Connect is Dollar Energy Fund’s secure online platform for utility assistance. You can apply for gas, electric, water and wastewater assistance from participating utility partners in one place, from any device, 24/7, securely upload your documents, and check your application status.

We’ve combined those tools into one platform: MyApp Connect. You can now apply, upload your documents, and check your application status all in one place at MyApp Connect. You no longer need to visit separate sites for each step.

No. With MyApp Connect, a single application can cover gas, electric, water and wastewater assistance from participating utility partners, so you don’t need to fill out duplicate applications for different utilities.

Use the Agency Finder to view community-based agencies in your area and schedule an appointment with the one most convenient for you. You can also apply online any time through MyApp Connect.

Proof of income may be required for you to receive assistance or be enrolled in a program. Use our Acceptable Proof of Income list as a guide to see which documents are considered acceptable proof of income. When you apply through MyApp Connect, you can upload these documents securely as part of your application.

Upload your documents securely through MyApp Connect as part of your application. MyApp Connect can securely read and verify information from your income statements and utility bills. If you applied in person or by phone, the agency or our customer contact center can tell you how to get your documents to us.

Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis while funding is available. Decisions are usually made within two to four weeks of a complete application. To check the status of your application, visit MyApp Connect.

You can check your application status and confirm your documents were received by logging in to MyApp Connect.

There are a number of reasons an application may be denied. Follow the link in the email or text message notification you received for more information. You can also review your application status at any time by logging in to MyApp Connect.

You will receive a notice to recertify within sixty days of your benefit end date. When it’s time, you can recertify quickly and securely online through MyApp Connect.

We always recommend that you contact your utility provider directly to see what programs and assistance they have available for their customers. You can also reach out to your local United Way, county assistance office or other community-based assistance agencies for additional resources.

Please contact your utility provider to determine which program is best for you. You can reach them directly or visit their website and look for their payment assistance resources. You can also visit our Programs page to see a list of program guidelines, or use our Hardship Program Eligibility Tool to see what you may qualify for.

Hardship grants are typically one-time payments that help resolve an immediate crisis. Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Programs (PCAP), Customer Assistance Programs (CAP), and Bill Discount Programs (BDP) are longer-term monthly assistance programs that can include benefits like discounted billing, and some include balance forgiveness.

The easiest way to see if you’re enrolled in a discount program is to review your most recent utility bill. If you’re still unsure, please contact your utility provider.

If you are currently enrolled in a benefit program but would like to end your enrollment, please contact your utility provider first to make sure you maximize your benefits.

Dollar Energy Fund administers programs for electric, gas, water, and wastewater service of participating utility partners. Through MyApp Connect, you can apply for assistance for any of these services in one convenient place. Dollar Energy Fund does not currently offer assistance for delivered fuels such as oil, propane, coal, or wood.

Use our Income Calculator to see where your household income falls relative to the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). Enter your household size, total household income before taxes, and pay period.

Please contact your utility provider and let them know you’re moving.

For the most accurate information on service restoration, please contact your utility provider directly.

Please contact your utility provider to ask about subsidy credits and how to file for an exemption.

We’re sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, Dollar Energy Fund is unable to assist with this request. Please contact the utility provider for further assistance.

Unfortunately, Dollar Energy Fund is unable to assist with WARM scheduling. Please contact your utility provider for further assistance.

Sorry you’re having trouble logging in. Try using the same phone number or email address you used when you created your account. If you still can’t get in, contact us at 1-888-282-6816.

Sorry you’re having trouble logging in. For help logging in to PA Bill Assist, please call FirstEnergy.

Currently, all donations with the exception of those earmarked for our utility partners in Nebraska will automatically be matched dollar for dollar.

Dollar Energy Fund uses a donor’s zip code to earmark a donation to the closest available hardship fund. If we don’t have a program operating in your zip code, we will assign it to the closest utility provider or divide it equally among the pool of donations available for customers of our utility partners in your state.

Anytime you contribute through your utility bill or through a utility-sponsored campaign, that donation will benefit limited-income customers of that utility.

If there is a specific program or state where you’d prefer your donation be used, or if you have any questions about your donation’s use, please contact us at donate@dollarenergy.org.

Unfortunately, not at this time. If you are looking to help a specific customer who is in need, we recommend working with them to make a payment directly to their account.

Dollar Energy Fund is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are fully tax deductible if no goods or services are received in exchange for your contribution. Please consult a tax professional for additional information.

We’d be happy to help you with this. Please contact us at donate@dollarenergy.org.

If your total annual donation is $250 or more, we can provide you with a written acknowledgment for your contributions. Please contact us at donate@dollarenergy.org with your utility provider name, bill payer name and donation amount and we will process an acknowledgement letter for you.

Please understand that, due to privacy policies, our utility partners do not provide customer information without consent, so we may need you to reach out to your utility provider prior to them verifying your donation amount.

This is a great way to maximize your donation since your donation and the matching contribution from your employer may be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match. We would be happy to work with you to verify donations for corporate matching and assist with the necessary forms. Please contact us at donate@dollarenergy.org and let us know how we can help.

If you donate through your utility bill, you will need to contact your utility provider directly to make changes to your donation. If you signed up to make a recurring donation through our website, we can assist you by contacting us at donate@dollarenergy.org.

Yes. Please contact us at donate@dollarenergy.org and we will help you with your request. We can provide a special acknowledgement card to the recipient of your choice.

Your incentive will be given to you after your donation has fully processed and as soon as the item is available. Depending on the event, items may be mailed directly from our event partner (KDKA-AM, iHeart, etc.), the incentive provider or from Dollar Energy Fund’s offices. We kindly request four to six weeks following an event to complete this process.

Dollar Energy Fund administers all types of utility programs, including:

• Customer assistance programs
• Hardship; One-time grant programs
• Arrearage forgiveness
• Lead line replacement
• Weatherization
• Pilot programs

No, we do not administer government funded programs. However, we have a network of over 600 community-based agencies in our utility service territories that take applications for LIHEAP and LIWAP.

Our utility partners provide the initial funding for programs, but as a non-profit organization, Dollar Energy Fund will assist in fundraising efforts.

Dollar Energy Fund partners with utilities that provide $20,000 a year and with utility companies that provide millions of dollars per year and many ranges in between. Each partner is unique and no program or utility is the exact same.

To learn more about our organization, MyApp Connect, our other software products and services, and partnership opportunities, please email sales@dollarenergy.org or fill out the form on our Business Services page.