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PGW customers may be eligible for up to $1,000 in free money for their natural gas bills
PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 2, 2020) – Low-income Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers facing financial difficulties can apply for a free LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) grant of between $200 and $1,000 beginning Monday, Nov. 2. LIHEAP is a federal grant that helps income-eligible families afford their natural gas bills and maintain heating for their homes as cold weather approaches.
Customers can print a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com/liheap, or call PGW’s Customer Care Team at 215-235-1000, Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., to receive an application by mail. The LIHEAP application period ends on April 9, 2021 or as long as funds remain available.
The grants are based on household size and income, available to both renters and homeowners, and do not have to be repaid. Approximately 135,000 PGW customers are eligible for LIHEAP. Last winter (2019-2020), approximately 58,000 PGW customers received more than $24 million in assistance.
“Philadelphia was among the poorest cities in America even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with even more families in the City struggling financially, PGW urges all eligible customers to take advantage of these free grants,” said Denise Adamucci, vice president of regulatory compliance and customer programs at PGW. “PGW understands that these are difficult times and strongly encourages customers to apply for a LIHEAP grant. Every year, a significant number of eligible households do not apply for LIHEAP. These households miss this opportunity to receive significant financial assistance with their winter bills. PGW wants every low-income household to know that help is available and to apply immediately.”
Since the pandemic began, PGW has aggressively reached out to customers to connect them to payment assistance programs. PGW is now contacting neighborhood organizations, elected officials and other community leaders to educate customers about LIHEAP grants, which are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Applicants for LIHEAP assistance must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet the eligibility requirements. Eligibility guidelines are available at pgworks.com/liheap.
LIHEAP grants for PGW customers are applied directly to the "Please Pay" amount of their bill. Customers enrolled in PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) can benefit from both their regular CRP discount and the additional LIHEAP grant when paying their bill.
Customers without utility service can apply for both Crisis Assistance and LIHEAP together when calling PGW’s Customer Care Team. Crisis Assistance is a federal grant that is awarded to income-eligible customers.
For more information on LIHEAP, LIHEAP Crisis and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance.
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PGW ramps up outreach to help vulnerable customers keep service ahead of winter
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 29, 2020) – Beginning next week, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) will contact nearly 50,000 customers who are behind on their natural gas bills to connect them with PGW’s payment assistance programs, to make payment arrangements, or notify PGW of your household income to determine if you are eligible for protection from further action.
With the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission lifting its service termination moratorium on Nov. 9, the Commission required utilities to notify customers who may be at risk of termination for non-payment of available programs. PGW urges customers facing financial challenges to contact PGW immediately at 215-235-1000, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to explore their options for maintaining service.
“Our goal is to help customers maintain their natural gas service and avoid service termination. We know many Philadelphians are facing financial stress and PGW has a variety of programs to help customers pay their bills,” said Craig White, President & CEO of PGW. “We are urging customers to contact PGW as soon as possible to get the economic relief they need, stay current on their account, and continue the delivery of safe, reliable natural gas service.”
Among the payment assistance programs for customers is PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP), which was recently modified to further reduce monthly bill amounts for low-income customers enrolled in the program. CRP helps low-income households better afford their bills and receive forgiveness of past debt. Based on household income, customers enrolled in CRP could pay as little as 4 percent of their monthly income on their PGW bill.
In addition, starting Nov. 2, customers can apply for a free LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) grant ranging from $200 to $1,000. LIHEAP is a federal grant that helps income-eligible families pay their heating bills and restore gas service. The grants are available to renters and homeowners, and do not have to be repaid.
Several more PGW payment assistance programs are available for customers, including:
For more information on all of PGW’s payment assistance programs visit https://www.pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance
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PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 7, 2020) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) joins the American Public Gas Association in celebrating National Public Natural Gas Week, Oct. 4-10, which was established to honor the work and importance of locally-owned public natural gas systems.
PGW – the largest municipally owned natural gas utility in the U.S. – has been an essential part of Philadelphia since 1836, contributing to the City’s economic growth, participating in community service, and enhancing quality of life for its customers. PGW has also enjoyed close working relationships with city agencies including first responders such as the Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments.
Most of PGW’s 1,600 employees live in the City and are personally invested in delivering outstanding service to its residents, families, neighbors and to businesses. Likewise, PGW appreciates the support of its customers who prefer the many benefits of natural gas to affordably warm their homes and buildings, cook fresh meals, heat water, and use appliances in an environmentally responsible way.
As families spend more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the weather cools, PGW is committed to the safety of customers and ensuring that service is there when they need it.
Follow PGW at @MyPGW for more information on Public Natural Gas Week.
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