The Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program is now accepting applications from households facing utility termination or pending service disconnection.
These grants are applied directly to customer accounts to maintain or restore basic gas, electric, water or wastewater service.
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through Sept. 30, 2027, while funds remain available.
The Hardship Program assists limited-income individuals, families and senior citizens who struggle to pay utility bills. Many applicants earn employment income or receive retirement or disability benefits but do not qualify for state or federal assistance programs.
For these households, the program often serves as a final option when other financial resources are exhausted. Grants cover the exact amount necessary to prevent or restore utility service, up to a maximum amount established by each participating utility company.
The program comes amid growing demand for utility assistance. During the first three months of the 2025–2026 program year, the number of Pennsylvania households receiving grants increased 131% compared to the same period the previous year. By the end of that program year, more than 24,600 households statewide had received a combined $10 million in assistance.
Chad Quinn, chief executive officer of Dollar Energy Fund, noted that higher living costs are continuing to strain household budgets across the region.
“Last year, the need for help reached levels we had never seen before and we expect that need to continue as families keep facing higher costs for housing, food and utilities,” Quinn said. “Today is an important reminder that help is available. We encourage anyone facing a shutoff or struggling to keep up with their utility bills to contact their utility company as soon as possible.”
Customers facing a utility crisis are instructed to begin by contacting their utility provider to determine eligibility and review available programs. New this year, applicants can also submit requests online through MyApp Connect. The platform allows users to submit one application and one set of income documentation across all participating utility programs rather than repeating the process for each provider.
Applicants who prefer to apply in person can complete the process through local community-based partner agencies. In addition to application processing, these community partners connect families with financial counseling, transportation assistance, child care support and housing services.
Income eligibility limits vary by utility company and are based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, ranging from 150% to 300% depending on the provider. Applicants may also be required to show a sincere effort to pay utility bills over the past three months, have an outstanding account balance and seek available state or federal aid if eligible.
Over the past year, Dollar Energy Fund provided $37.3 million in hardship grants to more than 76,000 households nationwide. Throughout more than 40 years of operation across its 18-state service area, the organization has distributed more than $400 million in grants to over one million households.
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