Grant Funding Applications Now Being Accepted for 2015-2016 Program Year

Today, October 1, 2015, Dollar Energy Fund  opened its 2015-2016 utility assistance program year and is currently accepting applications from customer of most of its utility partners who are in need of help with their gas, water and electric bills.

Dollar Energy Fund provides one-time grants to eligible, limited-income households facing an immediate utility crisis through its hardship programs.  With help from the program, families in need can receive up to $500 in grant funding that’s applied directly to their utility account to prevent a termination or restore their service.

“The risk of losing basic gas, water or electric is an all too common reality for many working families,” says Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund’s Chief Executive Officer. “A grant from Dollar Energy Fund is a means for these limited-income households to ease their financial burden while allowing them to maintain basic utility services. Assistance is especially important as we move into the winter heating season because it provides a way for families, many of whom have children, to stay warm in their homes during the coldest months.”

Those seeking help should first contact their utility company for eligibility screening and to be referred to a community based agency for assistance with Dollar Energy Fund’s application process. This approach also puts at-risk families in touch with additional services—such as food, childcare and career assistance—that may be available to limited-income households.

Grant funding applications are currently being accepted for customers of the following utilities:

Arkansas:

Entergy

SWEPCO

California:

California Water Service Company

Kentucky:

Kentucky American Water

Louisiana:

SWEPCO

Maryland:

Columbia Gas of Maryland

Pennsylvania:

Citizens Electric

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania

Duquesne Light

Met-Ed – A FirstEnergy Company

Penelec – A FirstEnergy Company

Penn Power – A FirstEnergy Company

Pennsylvania American Water

Peoples Natural Gas

Peoples TWP

Valley Energy

Wellsboro Electric

West Penn Power – A FirstEnergy Company

Texas:

SWEPCO

Virginia:

Columbia Gas of Virginia

Old Dominion Power Company

Virginia American Water

West Virginia:

Dominion Hope

Mon Power – A FirstEnergy Company

Mountaineer Gas

Peoples

Potomac Edison – A FirstEnergy Company

West Virginia American Water

On December 1, assistance programs will open for customers of AEP Ohio and Appalachian Power in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.

Dollar Energy Fund’s network of over Community Based Organizations are now taking Hardship Program applications.  Applications for most programs will continue to be accepted through September 30, 2016, or until funds are depleted.

Eligibility guidelines vary by utility.  Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at www.dollarenergy.org/need-help.

Since 1983, Dollar Energy Fund’s hardship grants have helped more than 441,000 families maintain or restore safe utility services. Last year, the organization helped more than 34,000 limited-income families across eleven states meet their basic utility needs through the distrubution of more than $8.8 million in hardship grants, guiding over 100,000 individuals—including children, adults, and senior citizens—on the path towards reaching self-sufficiency.

Dollar Energy Fund is funded by public contributions that are matched dollar for dollar by partnering utility companies.  Utility customers are also able to contribute a dollar or more to Dollar Energy Fund through their monthly utility bill. Direct donations can be made online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate or by sending a check to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Every donation to Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program is tax deductible and all funds collected will be used to assist limited-income families.

For more information about Dollar Energy Fund and how to apply for a grant from the Hardship Program or donate to the organization, visit www.dollarenergy.org.

 About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc.

Dollar Energy fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become the largest hardship fund in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization in the state of Pennsylvania.  Since 1983, the organization has provided $124 million in utility assistance grants to more than 441,000 limited-income families and individuals. The organization also assists limited-income households in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and California.  Individuals interested in contributing to Dollar Energy Fund can do so through their utility bills, by sending donations directly to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 or through the organization’s website.  Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund’s website, www.dollarenergy.org.