Duquesne Light Reminds Customers About Energy Assistance Programs

Date:                    November 1, 2016
Contact:               Ashlee Yingling
                             412.430.3404
                             ayingling@duqlight.com                                                                                     

Duquesne Light Reminds Customers About Energy Assistance Programs
Enrollment is open for all grants and services

PITTSBURGH – The winter months are fast approaching and Duquesne Light is ready to assist low-income households with their electric bills through a number of available programs that can keep them connected to a safe, reliable source of electricity as the cold weather arrives.

“Electricity is critical to helping people stay warm and safe during the winter months,” said Campbell Hawkins, Vice President of Customer Service at Duquesne Light. “Our team makes every effort to help our customers find the right program to assist in ensuring all members of the community have access to affordable energy and the ability to pay their electricity bill.”

In addition, every year Duquesne Light follows up directly with customers who have had their service shut off to provide information about a variety of options that may be available to help restore service and to assist them after reconnection. These programs include: 

• Customer Assistance Program (CAP) forgives arrears over time and lowers the monthly payment, based on the customer’s ability to pay. It’s available to all households that meet income eligibility, based on the federal guidelines. This program is available year-round. Call Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7600 for more information.
• Smart Comfort helps customers lower their bills by providing free information and services to reduce electric usage. This program is available year-round. Call Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7600 for more information.
• Customer Assistance & Referral Evaluation Service (CARES) helps eligible customers obtain support and assistance from appropriate social service agencies. This program is available year-round. Call Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7600 for more information.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded program, offers:
  • Cash grant provides up to $1,000 per heating season to help you pay your utility billl.
  • Crisis grant provides additional help if you are in an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.

  Enrollment in LIHEAP began November 1, 2016 and runs through March 31, 2017. Call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 for more information.

• Dollar Energy Fund offers up to a one-time $500 grant to households that meet the income eligibility. Duquesne Light matches customers’ contributions, up to $375,000 annually, to reduce arrearages and restore services.  Duquesne Light was a founding partner in this hardship fund. This program is available until funds are depleted. Call Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7600 for more information.
• Home Weatherization Programoffers energy-saving improvements (such as caulking and weather-stripping) to low- and fixed-income households, regardless of whether you own your home or rent. This program is available year-round. Call the City of Pittsburgh’s Action Housing at 412-281-2102 (ext.2101) for more information.

Duquesne Light customer services representatives are trained to refer customers who are having problems paying their bill to available energy-assistance programs.  As a whole, these programs provide Duquesne Light customers with a variety of options to assist them through the winter.  For more information on these energy assistance programs, customers should call 1-888-393-7600.

About Duquesne Light Company
Duquesne Light Company is committed to more than keeping the lights on; it powers the moments in its customers’ lives. As a next generation energy company, Duquesne Light Company’s nearly 1,500 employees are dedicated to delivering reliable and safe energy to more than a half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

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