National Popsicle Day

The Pittsburgh region has experienced a dangerously hot summer this year. July clocked in as the hottest month ever recorded. While winter might feel far off for some, it’s all many of our struggling Pittsburgh neighbors can think about. The stress of approaching the cold months is a reality for thousands of households in our area. Instead of worrying about snowy roads and shoveling their walkways, limited-income families are wondering if they will make it through the winter. They will stretch their thin incomes and still not come up with the necessary funds to keep their homes warm and their pipes from freezing. With your help, we can assist these families on a path to self-sufficiency.

Who does Dollar Energy Fund help?

Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program assists eligible customers with their gas, electric and water service by providing a one-time grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. This program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Many who receive a grant from the program are experiencing a temporary financial hardship, such as a job loss, medical emergency, or other circumstance beyond their control. An assistance grant can help keep them from enduring further financial hardship or having to choose between paying their monthly utility bills and purchasing food, medicine or other necessities.

• $3.6 million was granted to 10,466 families in Pennsylvania during the 2017-2018 program year.
• Dollar Energy Fund has assisted 7,042 families in the Greater Pittsburgh Region* with $2.49 million in utility assistance grants during the 2017-2018 program year.
• 1,775 households were without utility service before receiving a grant.
• More than half of the households supported have children under the age of 18.
• 20% of households that receive a grant have seniors (62 years old or older).
• Over 85% of grant recipients are either currently employed or receiving retirement or disability benefits.

_{*Counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland.}

Help your neighbors prepare for winter by making a donation today.

The demand for assistance from our program has grown significantly due to increased costs of everyday living expenses and severe weather conditions. To meet the need, we rely on the generosity of individual donors. Our unique funding model provides a dollar-for-dollar match from our partnering utility companies for every donation we receive. The utility companies also make a separate donation to cover our administrative fees, so 100 percent of all individual donations are used to provide utility assistance grants to limited-income households.