Dollar Energy Fund is now accepting applications for its 2024-2025 program year from those within the organization’s 17-state service territory who are currently experiencing a utility termination or who have a pending service termination. A grant from the program provides funds directly to a customer’s utility account, enabling them to maintain or restore basic gas, water, wastewater or electric service. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through September 30, 2025, or until funds are depleted.
Dollar Energy Fund’s assistance program is designed to help limited-income individuals, families and senior citizens, many of whom are employed or receiving retirement or disability benefits but still struggling to make ends meet. These households may not qualify for state and federal assistance programs, and they turn to Dollar Energy Fund as a last resort when other options for help are scarce.
“The demand for utility assistance has been constant over the years as many households face financial challenges due to the increased cost of living and the uncertainties of our economic climate,” said Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund’s Chief Executive Officer. “Dollar Energy Fund extended a helping hand to more than 104,500 households nationwide during our last program year. We are proud to offer a lifeline to families when they are going through tough times, such as job loss, illness, or other unexpected hardship, ensuring them utility service and stability in their homes without sacrificing their ability to secure food, prescriptions, and other essentials. And we look forward to continuing our efforts so more families won’t have to go without utility service in their homes.”
A customer’s income level is the primary eligibility criteria, and that threshold varies by utility company. In addition, households may need to make a sincere effort of payment on their utility bill in the last three months and have a past-due balance on their account. Households must first apply for available federal and state assistance if they meet eligibility requirements and if those programs are accepting applications. Specific requirements, account balances and sincere payment amounts vary by utility company and guidelines are subject to change. Some utility companies require a customer’s service to be off or in threat of termination to receive assistance.
Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at www.dollarenergy.org/need-help.
Those seeking assistance should first contact their utility provider to be screened for eligibility and to receive a referral to one of Dollar Energy Fund’s Community-Based Organization partners to complete their application. This process not only provides in-person options when applying for utility assistance, but also connects families with a network of agencies that offer additional resources, such as financial counseling, transportation aid, childcare assistance, and housing resources. Additionally, customers of select utility companies may be able to use Dollar Energy Fund’s MyApp portal to complete all or a portion of their application online.
Since 1983, Dollar Energy Fund has provided more than $313 million in grants to over 939,800 households across its 17-state service area, positioning itself as a national leader in utility assistance program administration.
The organization relies on public contributions, with many utility partners providing dollar-for-dollar matching funds to maximize the impact of each dollar donated. Contributions can be made online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate or by sending a check to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Customers can also opt in to donate directly through their monthly utility bills, where available, and all donations are tax-deductible. Where applicable, donated funds are used to assist limited-income families residing in the same state as the donor.
For more information about Dollar Energy Fund, how to apply for utility assistance, or to make a donation, please visit www.dollarenergy.org.
