Dollar Energy Fund’s West Virginia Utility Assistance Program begins providing utility assistance grants for the 2014-2015 year October 1 for all partnering utilities except for Appalachian Power, which will be delayed until December 1, 2014.
The West Virginia Utility Assistance program allows for limited-income households with incomes at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and who have received utility-termination notices to apply for funding. Each household may apply once per utility (water, electric and gas) per year between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015, to avoid termination or have their utility service restored. The maximum grant amount is $500 and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“As we enter into heating season, Dollar Energy Fund is ready to provide relief to families in West Virginia who are at risk of losing basic gas, water or electric service,” Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund’s chief executive officer, said. “Many of those who receive a grant from our program come from working families, yet a sudden financial emergency, such as a job loss, illness or other situation out of their control, puts them in a position where they are forced to choose between paying their utility bills and providing other necessities, such food or medical care, for themselves and their families. Our program helps to ease the burden and keep a temporary situation from spiraling into a long-term issue.”
Since 2008, Dollar Energy Fund has helped more than 24,500 West Virginia households maintain or restore basic gas, electric and water utility service by providing assistance grants that are applied directly to their utility bills.
Dollar Energy Fund partners with six utility companies across West Virginia, including Appalachian Power, MonPower and Potomac Edison of FirstEnergy, Peoples (formerly Equitable Gas), Dominion Hope, Mountaineer Gas and West Virginia American Water, to administer the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program. The organization is funded by private contributions that are matched by utility companies. One hundred percent of all donations go to help West Virginians through the grant program.
Once again this year, due to demand for funding in the later months of winter, Appalachian Power will delay the opening of grants for its customers until December 1, 2014, and set the maximum grant amount at $300.
Those seeking help should contact their utility company for eligibility screening and to be referred to a community-based agency for assistance with Dollar Energy Fund’s application process. This approach puts at-risk households in touch with additional services—such as food, childcare and career assistance—that may be available to limited-income households. Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at: www.dollarenergyfund.org/need-help/westvirginia.
Utility customers who wish to contribute a dollar or more to the organization may do so through their monthly utility bills. Direct donations also can be made online at www.dollarenergyfund.org/donate or by sending a check to Box 3979, Charleston, WV 25339. All donations to Dollar Energy Fund are tax deductible and all funds collected from West Virginia donors will be used to assist limited-income families residing in the state.
For more information about Dollar Energy Fund and how to apply to the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program or donate to the organization, visit www.dollarenergyfund.org.
About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc.
Dollar Energy Fund, a 501 (c) 3 organization, was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest hardship programs in the United States. Over its 31-year history, the organization has provided $114 million in utility assistance grants to more than 400,000 limited-income families and individuals. Since expanding into West Virginia in 2008, more than $7.2 million has been distributed to 24,584 households throughout the state. The organization also administers hardship programs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and California. Individuals interested in contributing to Dollar Energy Fund can do so through their utility bills, by sending donations directly to Box 3979, Charleston, WV 25339 or through the organization’s website. Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund’s website, www.dollarenergyfund.org.
