New Utility Assistance Fund to Open in WV

The Dollar Energy Fund, a long-time energy assistance provider in Pennsylvania, has initiated a utility assistance program in West Virginia.

Starting October 1, the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program will help low-income families pay their utility bills. In partnership with the Dollar Energy Fund and six major utilities, the program expects to assist up to 1,500 people during its first year.

The program was made possible through the assistance and encouragement of West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, the utility industry, the Public Service Commission and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Salvation Army will provide intake sites around the state. Applicants’ income must be at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines and they must have made an effort to pay their utility bills. The program will use traditional and web-based technologies to file and process applications and connect applicants with other agencies offering additional assistance.

The Dollar Energy Fund was founded in 1983 in Pennsylvania and has become the state’s largest fuel fund (also called hardship program) and the fourth largest in the U.S. Since October 1, 2007, its Hardship Program has distributed over $3.7 million in utility assistance grants to 10,028 low-income customers  of 14 utility companies in Pennsylvania. The fund also administers Customer Assistance Programs for several of the state’s utilities. Throughout its history, it has provided more than $55 million in utility assistance to over 225,000 low-income households.

Source: Dollar Energy Fund, West Virginia newspapers

Page Last Updated: September 24, 2009