Fixing a broken heater<\/p>\n
The Energy Coordinating Agency\u2019s heater hotline<\/p>\n
ECA\u2019s heater hotline<\/a> offers free repairs for broken gas, electric or fuel oil heaters. For heater replacements, ECA forwards applications to the city\u2019s Basic Systems Repair Program.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Who qualifies\n<\/p>\n Single-family homeowners earning at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, that\u2019s $23,475 a year for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n <\/p>\n Call the hotline at 215-568-7190.\n<\/p>\n Lowering your energy bills and utility debt<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Customer Assistance Program<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Customer Assistance Program, or CAP<\/a>, caps your bill at a percentage of your income, with a minimum monthly payment of $10 for electricity or $20 for gas or electric heating. When enrolling for the first time, overdue bills can be forgiven.\n<\/p>\n PECO promised not to shut off service<\/a> in November for customers it has confirmed to be low-income, including those who directed their LIHEAP grants to PECO within the last two years and those participating in its CAP.\n<\/p>\n Who\u2019s eligible\n<\/p>\n Households with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, that\u2019s $23,475 a year for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n You can apply online<\/a> or by email, fax or mail (download an application form<\/a> in English or Spanish). Call PECO for help at 1-800-774-7040.\n<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Customer Relief Fund<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Customer Relief Fund<\/a> is providing grants of $750 to customers with an overdue balance<\/a> through Dec. 31. The past-due balance cannot exceed $2,500.\n<\/p>\n Who\u2019s eligible\n<\/p>\n Households with incomes between 151% and 300% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, that\u2019s around $23,631 to $46,950 a year for an individual or around $48,546 to $96,450 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n Apply online<\/a> through the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.\n<\/p>\n PGW\u2019s Customer Responsibility Program<\/p>\n Philadelphia Gas Works\u2019 Customer Responsibility Program<\/a>, or CRP, lowers gas bills by up to 50% and can lead to forgiveness of past-due bills.\n<\/p>\n PGW said<\/a> it will not shut off service during November for residential customers participating in its CRP or who submitted an early application for LIHEAP this year and directed their grant to PGW.\n<\/p>\n Who qualifies\n<\/p>\n Households with incomes of no more than $23,475 annually for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n Apply online through PGW\u2019s My Account<\/a> portal or by mail. Download applications<\/a> in multiple languages from PGW\u2019s website.\n<\/p>\n PGW\u2019s Cares program<\/p>\n PGW\u2019s Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Program, or Cares<\/a>, provides payment assistance to customers facing temporary hardships such as medical emergencies or unemployment.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n Call PGW at 215-235-1000.\n<\/p>\n Stopping utility shutoff and restoring service<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s moratorium on utility shutoffs<\/a> for low-income customers during the winter starts Dec. 1. But utilities throughout the state have committed to suspending shutoffs early<\/a>, because of the impacts of the federal government shutdown, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.\n<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Matching Energy Assistance Fund<\/p>\n PECO\u2019s Matching Energy Assistance Fund<\/a> provides grants to customers that eliminate their past-due balance in order to prevent an impending shutoff or get service restored.\n<\/p>\n Who qualifies\n<\/p>\n Households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, that\u2019s $31,300 for an individual or $64,300 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n Apply in-person at a MEAF agency in your county<\/a>. In Philadelphia, this is the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) at 743 N. 24th St. Customers can apply through UESF online here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n PGW\u2019s hardship fund<\/p>\n PGW\u2019s hardship fund<\/a> offers grants of up to $1,500 for customers who have received a termination notice or whose gas service is currently shut off. The grant must bring the customer\u2019s account balance to $0.\n<\/p>\n Who qualifies\n<\/p>\n Customers with incomes at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, that\u2019s $27,388 for an individual or $56,263 for a family of four. Customers must apply for LIHEAP when available.\n<\/p>\n How to apply\n<\/p>\n Apply in person at certain Neighborhood Energy Centers<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Salvation Army in Bucks County<\/p>\n