PGW’s Universal Service Programs

You may directly ask about and apply for PGW’s Low Income Programs by calling 1-215-235-1000.

What Are The Names Of PGW’s Programs?

• CRP (Customer Responsibility Program)
• CWP (Conservation Works Program)
• CARES (Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Service)
• Hardship Fund

How Can These Programs Benefit Me?

• CRP lowers your monthly bill based on the amount of your household income.
• CWP helps reduce household electric use resulting in lower bills.
• CARES connects you to local social service agencies that can help you.
• The Hardship Fund provides grants to stop shut-off or to reconnect service.

The CRP Program

What are the actual benefits I can get in CRP?

Reduced monthly payments:

• As a CRP customer, you will receive a sizeable discount on your ongoing gas usage because your new bill will be based on a percentage of your income, not on your actual usage. This should lead to significant savings on your bill.

Freezing past debt:

• If you were not enrolled in the CRP program in the past, then when you enroll, your past debt will be frozen. This means that as long as you make your CRP payments on time and in full, PGW will not make collections on that past due amount and no fees will be applied against the debt.
• If you are removed from the CRP program for failing to pay your CRP bill in full and on time, then PGW may begin collection on this amount

Forgiving past debt:

• If you pay your CRP bill on time and in full for six months and pay a $5 co-pay, you will have 1/36 of your outstanding debt to PGW forgiven. Thus, in 3 years you may have your full debt forgiven.

How do I know if I am eligible for CRP?

• You are eligible for CRP if you have household income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
• You must also agree to apply for LIHEAP and receive CWP services from PGW.

What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CRP?

• You must contact PGW to apply for CRP by calling 1-215-235-1000.
• You must fill out an application and verify your income.
• You must pay your CRP bill on time and in full each month.

Can I be removed from CRP?

• Yes, you may be removed from CRP if you do not pay your CRP bills in full and on time each month.
• If your household income increases above the eligibility guidelines, or you do not provide the requested annual income information, or you do not comply with program guidelines, then you may be removed from the program.

Can I get back into CRP if I am removed from the program?

• Yes. If you are removed from CRP, you must pay all of your missed CRP payments to be reinstated.
• If you are both removed from CRP and have your service terminated, then special rules apply for reenrollment into CRP:
  1. On the first removal, you will have to pay all of your missed CRP payments and pay a reconnection fee.
  2. After two or more removals, you will be required to pay your full balance plus a reconnection fee.

What is CWP?

• CWP helps households with high gas use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.

How can I qualify for CWP?

• You qualify for CWP if you are a current CRP customer and have high gas usage.

What are the actual benefits of CWP?

• By participating in CWP, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each month.
• By participating in CWP, you will receive a free home energy usage review, education to help you learn how to reduce your energy use, and the installation of energy conservation measures (i.e. the replacement of old appliances with new energy efficient ones).

What are my responsibilities as a CWP participant?

• To receive services, you must agree to submit verification of your household income as part of the application process.
• As a participant, you must agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) inspect your residence and perform an energy audit.
• You must also agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) to inspect your residence one year after the conservation measures are installed. This allows the utility to determine if the conservation measures have been cost effective and helped you to reduce your energy consumption.

The CARES Program

The CARES program helps customers unable to pay their gas bills due to a temporary hardship. The CARES program connects customers with resources located in their own community. These community resources then help the customer manage his/her problems.

How do I qualify for CARES?

• You may qualify for CARES if you are low income, have special needs, are payment troubled, and have special circumstances.

• Participants in CARES can receive free referrals to assistance agencies in the local community, such as a nonprofit organization or social service agency.
• Participants in CARES can receive referrals to other PGW Universal Services programs.
• Participants in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending on their payment history and on their specific situation.

The Hardship Fund

The Hardship Fund provides customers with cash assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances.

What are the benefits of applying for a Hardship Fund grant?

• If you qualify, you may receive up to $500 toward the payment of your past due utility debt.

When can I request a grant from the Hardship Fund?

• Hardship Fund grants may be requested all year.

• Your household income must be at or below 175% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
• Your utility service must be shut-off or in shut-off status
• You must not have received a Hardship Fund grant in the past two years.
• You must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs when available.
• The grant must reduce utility bill to zero, whether used alone or with other resources.

• About PULP
• PULP Hotline
• Managing Your Utility Bills
• PA Low-Income Utility Assistance Programs
• Utility Resources
• PULP Newsletter
• Staff
• Donate to PULP