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house

window
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radiator
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Help!


I HAVE HEAT...

...BUT I'M AFRAID OF HIGH HEAT BILLS THIS WINTER

CAULK THIS WAY: Weatherization and conservation is the key to keeping heat costs down, whatever your income bracket. The city has committed to providing 100 workshops this winter that will show you how to weatherize your home — and will give you materials to do it. Call 215-684-6100 for a schedule.
Check out our house (below) for ways to cut your bills.
Also, useful Web sites include;
www.ase.org
www.ecasavesenergy.org
www.energystar.gov
Mouse over the men in the illustration below to find energy saving ideas.


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I DON'T HAVE HEAT
(or I’m about to lose my heat)

I GOT A SHUTOFF NOTICE. NOW WHAT?

First, pay your bill if you possibly can. Try to avoid a shut-off — getting reinstated can be expensive, requiring that you come up with the amount due, plus a reconnect fee and a deposit. If you can’t pay your bill, check out the programs and organizations below for help. Since some help depends on circumstances such as your income level and your history with the utility, there’s no single, step-by-step process.
But here’s one important step for everyone: figure out your total income. You’re going to need this number (and proof of it, such as pay stubs, a DPW card or other documentation). You’ll also need the number of people who live in your house (and in some cases, their social security cards).
With this preparation, you could get the help you need faster.

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CAN THEY SHUT ME OFF?

YES Due to a change in the law, the ban on winter shut-offs no longer applies. But there are some exceptions:
NO if you have a medical exemption, which must be renewed every month. Tell the utility of a medical condition — and follow up with a note from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
NO (not between Dec. 1 and April 1, anyway) if you are an enrollee, in good standing, in a low-income program (such as Peco’s CAP or PGW’s CRP program). These are available for PGW customers with an income below 150% of poverty level, as well as for Peco customers with an income below 250% of the poverty level.
IF YOU ARE SHUT OFF: find out the amount required to get your utilities turned back on. If you can’t comply, then reach out to ACORN or Community Legal Services.
You can appeal your shut-off, your reconnection terms or your payment plan to the Public Utilities Commission by calling 800-692-7380.


Want to help others stay warm?


Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) gives grants to people to help them pay their fuel bills and accepts donations of any size. 215-829-0545
Peco has a Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF), that will match any public donations up to $250,000 to assist households who are struggling with heating bills. 800-606-0384
PGW has a program that allows you to add a dollar to your bill to help those who need it. They can also work with you if you want to do more: 215-235-1000.
Call on your elected officials, both state and federal, and urge them to increase LIHEAP funding. The Commonwealth has, for the first time, funded the program at the state level — at the same time Congress reversed its increase and kept funding levels to the same place they were before fuel prices nearly doubled.


GOT OIL?

Oil customers have less help available to them, but thanks to Venezuala and Joe Kennedy, low income oil customers at or below 150% of poverty(see chart) can buy up to 200 gallons at 60 percent of retail price. Call 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (877-563-4645).
Experts also recommend joining a fuel co-op that help you lock in lower prices.
PennPirg Fuel Buyers: 215-893-3835,
www.pirgfuelbuyers.com.
Get your burner serviced. Oil burns less cleanly than gas, and it will help to have it cleaned.


PROGRAMS THAT CAN
HELP YOU GET WARM


UTILITY PROGRAMS: CRP is PGW’s low income program that provides discounted rates; CAP is Peco’s program. You must apply.
Call PGW at 215-684-6100; Call Peco at 800-774-7040.
LIHEAP: Provides grants to help pay fuel costs. It’s first-come, first-served. It can take up to 60 days for your application to process, so apply — but remember you may need more immediate options. Call 215-560-4900 or visit 1350 W. Sedgley Ave., or visit a county assistance office or Neighborhood Energy Center (See map at left).
WEATHERIZATION WORKSHOPS, an effort between the city, PGW and United Way, can show you how to conserve energy and save money. Call 215-684-6100 for schedule.
BASIC SYSTEM REPAIR PROGRAM provides repairs for low-income customers. Call 215-448-2160, but there’s a very long waiting list.
PHIL Loans: The city-sponsored loan program now covers weatherization projects. 215-523-9520.
HEATER HOTLINE: Call if your heater is broken, and you can get it fixed — plus you’ll get some weatherization services at the same time. (While supplies last) 215-568-7190.
UESF: The Utility Emergency Services Fund offers grants of up to $500. You must meet certain criteria, including income that’s no more than 175% of the poverty level. 215-972-5170.
APARTMENT DWELLERS: If you have no heat, call 215-686-2590.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP

Community Legal Services (CLS) 215-981-3700
ACORN 215-765-0042
PCA Senior Hotline 215-765-9040
PUC Bureau of Consumer Services 800-692-7380
PUC’s Office of Consumer Advocate 717-783-5048
Governor’s “Stay Warm” Hotline 866-550-4355
New Jersey Termination 800-624-0241
New Jersey Shares: 609-883-1626
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