Pennsylvania American Water Pennsylvania Hardship Program

Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to Pennsylvania American Water customers that are applied directly to their utility bill. Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

Program Dates

Starting March 1, 2024, the program is open for water services that are off or in threat of termination, and wastewater services that are off only.

Balance Requirement

Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.

Sincere Effort of Payment

Applicants must have paid at least $50 on their accounts in the past three months.

Maximum Grant

The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500 for water and $500 for wastewater.

Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/2/2023 – 9/30/2024)

Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.

If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.

Additional Guidelines

• Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only”, commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
• Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
• Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits.

Income Guidelines

Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.

Application Attachments:

• Verification of income must be attached to all applications.
• A copy of the most recent utility bill with proof of minimum payment must be attached to all applications.