Duquesne Light Company’s Universal Service Programs

Duquesne Light Company’s Universal Service Programs

General Information:

Where To Call?

You may directly ask about and apply for Duquesne Light’s Low-Income Programs by calling 1-888-393-7600.

What Are the Names of the Duquesne Light’s Programs?

How Can These Programs Benefit Me?

  • CAP lowers your monthly electric bill based on the amount of your household income.
  • Smart Comfort helps reduce household electric use resulting in lower bills.
  • CARES connects you to local social service agencies that can help you.
  • Dollar Energy Fund provides grants to stop shut-off or to reconnect service.

The CAP Program

What are the actual benefits I can get in CAP?

Reduced monthly payments:

  • As a CAP customer, you will receive a sizeable discount on your ongoing electric usage.

Freezing past debt:

  • If you were not enrolled in the CAP program in the past, then when you enroll, your past debt will be frozen. This means that as long as you make your CAP payments on time and in full, Duquesne Light Co. will not make collections on that past due amount and no fees will be applied against the debt.
  • If you are removed from the CAP program for failing to pay your CAP bill in full and on time, then Duquesne Light Co. may begin collection on this amount.

Forgiving past debt:

  • If you pay your CAP bill in full and on time each month, Duquesne Light will forgive 1/36th of your past debt. At this rate, if you pay in full and on time each month, your entire debt will be erased in 3 years.

How do I know if I am eligible for CAP?

What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?

  • You must contact Duquesne Light Co. to apply. You can call them at 1-888-393-7600.
  • You must fill out an application and verify your income.
  • You must pay your CAP bill on time and in full each month.
  • You must complete a Smart Comfort visit before enrollment in CAP if any of the following apply:
    • You have a residential heating account;
    • You own your own home and have a base load usage greater than 500 kWh per month;
    • You rent your home, have a base load usage greater than 500 kWh per month, and have resided at the premise for 6 months or more.
  • You may remain in CAP for as long as you are income qualified and continue to make payments, even if you no longer have an arrearage.

Can I be removed from CAP?

  • Yes, you may be removed from CAP if you do not pay your CAP bill in full and on time each month. Duquesne Light Co. has a strict policy of contacting customers within 5 days of a missed CAP bill. If payment is not promptly made after this 5 day contact, then Duquesne begins termination proceedings.
  • If your household income increases above the eligibility guidelines, or you do not provide the requested annual income information, or you do not comply with program guidelines, then you may be removed from the program.
  • If your energy usage exceeds 500 kWh per month after enrollment in CAP and you have not completed a Smart Comfort visit within the last 7 years, you must complete a visit, or you may be removed from the CAP program

Can I get back into CAP if I am removed from the program?

  • Yes. To get back into CAP, you must pay all of the CAP bills you missed. If your service has been terminated, you will also be required to pay a reconnection fee.
  • If a termination lasts for more than two weeks, Duquesne Light will also require a past CAP customer to repeat the CAP application process prior to reenrollment in CAP.

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The Smart Comfort Program

What is Smart Comfort?

Duquesne Light’s Smart Comfort program helps households with high electric use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.

How can I qualify for Smart Comfort?

  • If you are under 62 years of age, you must have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. (Click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines.)
  • If you are 62 years of age or older, you must have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. (Click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines.)
  • Additionally, you must use at least 500 kWh of electric per month and have lived in your residence for at least six months. (The residency and base load requirement does not apply to CAP customers who are homeowners with electric heat. The residency requirement does not apply to CAP customers who are homeowners.)

What are the actual benefits of Smart Comfort?

  • By participating in Smart Comfort, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each month. This will most likely result in lower monthly bills.
  • By participating in Smart Comfort, you will receive a free home energy usage review, education to help you learn how to reduce your energy use, and the installation of energy conservation measures (i.e., the replacement of old appliances with new energy efficient ones).

What are my responsibilities as a Smart Comfort participant?

  • To receive services, you must agree to submit verification of your household income as part of the application process.
  • As a participant, you must agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) to inspect your residence and perform an energy audit.
  • You must also agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) to inspect your residence one year after the conservation measures are installed. This allows the utility to determine if the conservation measures have been cost effective and helped you to reduce your energy consumption.

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The CARES Program

Duquesne Light’s CARES program helps customers unable to pay their electric bills due to a temporary hardship. The CARES program connects customers with resources located in their own community. These community resources then help the customer manage his/her problems.

How do I qualify for CARES?

What are the benefits to me of participating in CARES?

  • Participants in CARES can receive free referrals to assistance agencies in the local community, such as a nonprofit organization or social service agency.
  • Participants in CARES can receive referrals to other Duquesne Light Universal Service programs.
  • Participants in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending on their payment history and on their specific situation.

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Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Fund Program

Duquesne’s Dollar Energy Fund hardship fund program provides customers with cash assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances. This program is operated by Dollar Energy Fund, a nonprofit partner of Duquesne Light Co.

What are the benefits of applying for a Dollar Energy Fund grant?

If you qualify, you may receive up to $500 toward the payment of your past due utility debt.

When can I request a grant from Dollar Energy Fund?

  • From October 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009, if applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy grant.
  • From October 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008, only customers whose service is off or in threat of termination can apply for a grant.
  • From December 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, only customers whose service is off can apply for a grant.
  • From February 1, 2009 through February 28, 2009, only customers whose service is off or in threat of termination can apply for a grant.
  • Starting March 1, 2009, any eligible customer may apply for a grant, regardless of service status.

How do I qualify for a Dollar Energy Fund grant?

  • If you qualify to receive a LIHEAP grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, then you must apply for one before you can apply for a Dollar Energy Fund grant.
  • You must reside in the household and have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
  • You must have $100 or more as a past due balance ($0 balance for those age 62 years and over).
  • You must have paid at least $150 toward your bill over the past 90 days ($100 for those age 62 years and over).

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