Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP)

PCAP helps residential customers maintain electric service and eliminate their past-due balance.  The goal of this program is an affordable bill.  In PCAP, you will:

• Be billed approximately the same amount each month on the budget plan, Equal Payment Plan (EPP) - enrollment in EPP is required for PCAP participants
• Receive credits on your bill to either reduce your monthly budget bill or help pay a past due balance, or both
• Have the security deposit released and applied to your account if it was held on your account
• Be considered for the WARM program to improve the safety and comfort of your home at no cost to you

Notes:

• Applicants will be asked to provide household size and income information. 
• DEF may send you a reminder, via text, that it is time to recertify.

Contact Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) for more information and to apply for PCAP. 

Online:    Dollar Energy Online Application (MyApp)*
Phone:    888-282-6816
Fax:        412-515-1661
Email:     firstenergy@DEFDocs.org

Program Availability: Open year-round

More Information:

• PCAP Brochure
• PCAP Brochure - Spanish Version

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through its network of local county assistance offices. LIHEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills. LIHEAP funds may be used to pay an electric bill even if electricity is not the main source of heat. There are household income requirements for this program.

LIHEAP has two components:

1. CASH provides a cash payment directly to the utility, to be applied toward bill reduction if certain guidelines are met.
2. CRISIS provides a grant to help avoid shut off of electric service, which resulted from over-due bills. This grant also can be used to restore service shut off during the winter months.

Program Availability: Typically opens November 1 and remains open through early April or until funds are exhausted.

To Apply:

• Contact the Department of Human Services LIHEAP Hotline 866-857-7095
• Compass Website*
• Local Assistance Offices*

Dollar Energy Fund 

The Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. Income guidelines apply.  

Program Availability: Opens October 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted

To Apply:

• Contact Dollar Energy at 888-282-6816
• Dollar Energy Website*
• Dollar Energy Assistance Agency Finder*

To Make a Donation:

• Dollar Energy Online Donation*
• Dollar Energy Contribution Form

WARM Program - Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)

The WARM Program can help low-income customers lower electric bills and keep their homes more comfortable in the winter and summer months.  It is available to homeowners and renters with landlord approval. 

Customers participating in WARM:

1) Receive an in-home energy evaluation
2) Work with a trained energy educator to create an energy-savings plan
3) Have the opportunity to receive the following energy-saving items installed in the home:

• Caulking and weather-stripping
• Refrigerator/freezer testing and possible replacement
• Electric water heater inspection
• Energy-saving light bulbs

The specific improvements that you are eligible to receive will be determined during your home energy evaluation.  No payment is required for these installations/services.  There are household income requirements and electricity use requirements.  

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact: FirstEnergy Human Service Department 800-207-9276
• Online WARM Application

Customer Assistance & Referral Evaluation Services Program (CARES) 

CARES provides assistance on a short-term basis to payment-troubled residential customers who are experiencing a temporary hardship. Based upon the circumstances, company CARES representatives make referrals to social agencies and provide information on appropriate company and/or external programs.

To Apply: West Penn Power - Email or call 800-686-0021

211 Helpline

This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Call 211 or text your ZIP Code to 898211
• 211 Website*

Extended Due Date

If you are at least 60 years old or receive a Social Security or pension check, or if you receive disability assistance, we can extend your payment due date until after your check arrives. 

Contact: West Penn Power- Email or call 800-686-0021

Payment Arrangements

If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange affordable installments to be paid with your monthly bill.  Payment arrangements help maintain your electric service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation.
 

To Apply: 

• Log in to your account or register online to see if you are eligible for an installment plan or
• Contact West Penn Power via Email or call 800-686-0021

Third-Party Notification

Select a third party (a friend, relative, clergy, or social service agency) to be notified, along with yourself, if your electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay overdue bills but can remind you of pending disconnection and help you make payment arrangements.

Contact: West Penn Power - Email or call 800-686-0021

Military Deferred Payment Program

This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all or a part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine payment arrangements for the balance owed.

Customers who have switched to an alternative generation supplier may defer the charges paid to their supplier only if that supplier offers a deferred payment program. If your supplier does not offer a deferred payment program, the supplier charges must be paid each month.

Contact: West Penn Power - Email or call 800-686-0021

Protection from Abuse Order (PFA)

A PFA is an order from the court that protects you and your children from your abuser. It is a civil order that you can request on your own behalf against a family or household member who is abusing you.  This order may enable you to make special payment arrangements.

Learn more about Protection from Abuse Orders

Contact: West Penn Power at 800-686-0021 (You will be required to provide us a copy of the order.)