Dollar Energy Fund

Need Help Paying Your Utility Bills?

You may be able to get help through the Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). These programs help people who are struggling to pay their electric, gas, water, or sewage bills. Please see the Community Resources page to learn about LIHEAP.

🔌 Who Can Get Help from the Dollar Energy Fund (DEF)?

You may qualify if:

You live in a home or apartment with your own utility account (not shared with neighbors).
Your name is on the utility bill.
Your household income is below the limits listed below.
You owe money on your utility bill.
You’ve made a recent “sincere effort” payment (see below).
You’ve applied for LIHEAP and Crisis funding assistance, if the programs are open.

📅 DEF Program Dates for Gas & Electric:

Oct 1 – Nov 30
✅ You can apply if your service is off or about to be shut off.

Dec 1 – Jan 31
✅ You can only apply if your service is already shut off.

Feb 1 – Feb 28
✅ You can apply if your service is off or about to be shut off.

Starting March 1 (if money is still available)
✅ Anyone who qualifies can apply, even if service is still on.

💧 DEF Program Dates for Water & Sewage:

Each water company has different rules:

Clairton, Lehigh County, West View Water: You can only apply if your service is off or at risk — all year.
PA American Water (PAW): Same as above until Feb 28. After March 1, open to all (if funds are still available).
PWSA (Pittsburgh Water and Sewer): Open all year (if funds are available).

💵 DEF Payment Requirement (Sincere Effort of Payment)

You must have paid something on your bill in the last few months:

Most people must have paid at least $150 in the past 3 months.
If you are 62 or older, you only need to have paid $100.
Some companies have different rules (see below).

Special cases:

Citizens Electric: No payment required.
Valley Energy & Wellsboro Electric: $100 required ($50 for seniors).
PA American Water & PWSA: No payment required.
Clairton & Lehigh County Water: $100 (Lehigh allows 4 months instead of 3).
West View Water: $100 ($50 for seniors).
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water: $50 for everyone.

⚠️ DEF Minimum Balance Requirement

You usually must owe at least $100 on your bill.

Exceptions:

Lehigh County: $200 minimum.
Seniors (62+): May owe less, depending on your company.
Some companies (like PWSA, Peoples Gas) don’t have a minimum for seniors.

💰 How Much Help Can You Get from DEF?

Most people can get up to $500 per utility per year.

Some companies offer more or less:

Citizens Electric: $600
Duquesne Light: $600
Wellsboro Electric: $800
Clairton Municipal: $200
Lehigh County: $400
PWSA: $450 for water + $450 for sewage
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint: $250

Some companies allow more than one grant per year. Ask us if you’re not sure!

📝 What You’ll Need to Apply for DEF Assistance

Bring copies or photos of the following:

Proof of income (for everyone in your home)
Your most recent utility bill or shut-off notice
Proof of recent payment (bank statement, receipt, etc.)
A signed agreement (we’ll help you with this)

💡 Already on a Utility Company Payment Plan?

If your utility company says your service is not in danger of being shut off, you may not qualify until March 1 (when the program opens to everyone).

📬 How Will You Hear Back?

Once your DEF application is reviewed, you’ll get a response from the fund:

By text (if you give a phone number)
By email (if you give an email address)
By mail (if you give neither)

✅ Participating Utility Companies

Electricity

Citizens Electric
Duquesne Light
MetEd
Penelec
Penn Power
Wellsboro Electric
West Penn Power

Gas

Columbia Gas
Peoples Natural Gas
Valley Energy

Water & Sewage

Clairton Municipal Authority
Lehigh County Authority
PA American Water
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA)
West View Water
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water