(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Peoples Natural Gas)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Peoples Natural Gas, Peoples Natural Gas, Peoples Natural Gas reminds customers that the Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) program opens for the 2025-26 heating season tomorrow on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. Customers of Peoples Natural Gas that are eligible can get grants of up to $500 to assist in offsetting costs of winter heating. These grants are on a first-come, first-serve basis with them being available and customers are encouraged to apply early. According to that same release from Peoples Natural Gas, here is some more information about the DEF program:
To qualify for a one-time payment from DEF, customers must meet the following criteria:
- Your total gross household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level
- Gas service is off or in threat of termination
- Account is for residential service (single family or apartment)
- Name on the account is an adult currently living in the household
- Made a good faith payment to the account within the last 90 days of applying for the grant
- Applied for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)/Crisis benefits (when open)
Customers can use DEF’s income calculator to determine eligibility.
Customers can visit https://www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp/ to apply or contact their local DEF agency for assistance. In addition to DEF grants, several programs are available to assist with paying bills and including Peoples’ Customer Assistance Program, which provides an affordable monthly payment all year round, along with an emergency repair program that covers the full cost of repairs to heating systems and gas lines.
For more information or to apply for assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.