Don’t be a victim of identity theft or scams. Dollar Energy Fund will never ask you to make a payment over the phone, or ask for your credit card information, your bank account number, or a bank routing number in order to receive assistance from our programs. If you experience a call where this information is requested, hang up immediately. You can contact Dollar Energy Fund directly through our customer contact center hotline at 1-888-282-6816.
Nebraska Public Power District’s Pennies for Power program, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their Nebraska Public Power District electric bills. Customers may be eligible to receive funds that are applied directly to their utility bill. This program is designed to provide assistance above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Program Dates
The calendar year of the program runs from October 1st through September 30th. This program is currently open for customers with services that are off or in threat of termination only.
Funds are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Sincere Effort of Payment
Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their accounts in the past six months.
Balance Requirement
Applicants must be shut off due to non-payment, or have a termination notice on their account, with a past due balance of at least $100.
Maximum Grant
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $225.
Applicants can only receive a grant once every 12 months.
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 is insufficient to restore service or stop termination, the customer must seek additional assistance or cover the remaining balance themselves. The amount needed to restore serviceor stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that, in addition to the grant amount, an additional payment is required to restore service or stop termination
Additional Guidelines
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally- funded programs when those programs are open.
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.
Grants can be used to cover security deposits and reconnection fees.
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.
Household Size
200% Monthly
200% Yearly
1
$2,608
$31,300
2
$3,525
$42,300
3
$4,442
$53,300
4
$5,358
$64,300
5
$6,275
$75,300
6
$7,192
$86,300
7
$8,108
$97,300
8
$9,025
$108,300
Each add’l add
$917
$11,000
The Ohio Utility Assistance Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, provides assistance to eligible customers of select utility companies in Ohio. Customers may be eligible to receive a grant that is applied directly to their bill. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Participating Utilities:
AEP Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Duke Energy
Enbridge Gas
Program Dates
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for service that is off or in threat of termination.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Sincere Effort of Payment
Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their account in the previous 90 days.
Balance Requirement
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
Maximum Grant
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $300 per utility ($600 maximum if a grant is received for both gas and electric service).
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility every 12 months.
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
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.
Customers on Ohio’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) are not eligible for assistance.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Income Guidelines
Total gross household income must be between 175% +$1 and 250% 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.
Household Size
Monthly (households from 175% + $1 up to 250% Federal Poverty Level – FPL)
Yearly (households from 175% + $1 up to 250% Federal Poverty Level – FPL)
1
$2,283 to $3,260
$27,389 to $39,125
2
$3,085 to $4,406
$37,014 to $52,875
3
$3,887 to $5,552
$46,639 to $66,625
4
$4,690 to $6,698
$56,264 to $80,375
5
$5,492 to $7,844
$65,889 to $94,125
6
$6,294 to $8,990
$75,514 to $107,875
7
$7,096 to $10,135
$85,139 to $121,625
8
$7,898 to $11,281
$94,764 to $135,375
Each add’l add
$803 to $1,146
$9,626 to $13,750
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Maryland with their heat bills. When the program is open, eligible customers must apply for MEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for MEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for MEAP.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Arkansas with their utility bills. The program is administered by the Department of Human Services. Eligible customers must apply for LIHEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s Arkansas Utility Assistance Program.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for LIHEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income.
The Arkansas Utility Assistance Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their SWEPCO utility bills. Customers may be eligible to receive a grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Program Dates
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for services that are off only.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Maximum Grant
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $200.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis. Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
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
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.
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 or reconnection fees.
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.
Household Size
200% Monthly
200% Yearly
1
$2,608
$31,300
2
$3,525
$42,300
3
$4,442
$53,300
4
$5,358
$64,300
5
$6,275
$75,300
6
$7,192
$86,300
7
$8,108
$97,300
8
$9,025
$108,300
Each add’l add
$917
$11,000
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help you pay your heat and electric bills! EAP is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected, or are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income. Visit the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority website for a detailed breakdown of income qualifications and program guidelines.
