T.W. Phillips Gas & Oil Company Universal Service Programs

General Information:

Where To Call?

You may directly ask about and apply for T. W. Phillips Low-Income Programs by calling 1-866-276-4055.

What Are The Names Of T. W. Phillips Programs?

Energy Help Fund (EHF) – Customer Assistance Program
Wise Choice Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
CARES (Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services)
Dollar Energy Fund – Hardship Fund

How Can These Programs Benefit Me?

EHF lowers your monthly gas bill based on the amount of your household income.
Wise Choice helps reduce household gas 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 EHF Program

What are the actual benefits I can get in EHF?

Reduced monthly payments:

As an EHF customer, you will receive a sizeable discount on your gas bill.
LIHEAP, Dollar Energy Fund, and other assistance grants, if received, will also be used to reduce monthly EHF payments.

Freezing past debt:

Any amount that you owed T.W. Phillips prior to enrolling in the Energy Help Fund will be frozen and will not increase as long as you continue to make your EHF monthly payments in full and on time. T.W. Phillips will not make collections on that past due amount and no fees will be applied against the debt.
If you are removed from the EHF program for failing to pay your bill in full and on time, then T.W. Phillips may begin collection on this amount.

Forgiving past debt:

If you pay your EHF bill in full and on time each month, T. W. Phillips will forgive 1/36th of your past debt, if any, up to a maximum arrearage forgiveness of $200 per year, or $600 over 3 years.
If you still have gas service account arrearage after 36 months, you may reapply to the EHF program and if you qualify, you may earn additional past-debt forgiveness.

How do I know if I am eligible for EHF?

You are eligible if you 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 have received LIHEAP grants in the past 12 months, you will be enrolled in EHF and/or LIURP without income verification.
Information received from customers is also used to determine eligibility for participation in LIURP.

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

You must contact T. W. Phillips to apply. You can call them at 1-866-276-4055.
You must fill out an application and verify your income and household expenses; and provide names, birth dates and social security numbers of all household members.
You must pay your EHF bill on time and in full each month.
You must notify T. W. Phillips of any change in income, residence, or number of household members.
You will be enrolled in the EHF program for a 36-month period; you may re-enroll if you still satisfy the annual income requirements. (If a waiting list for EHF exists upon completion of the 36 month period, customers with annual incomes from 101% – 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines may not re-enroll until after 12 months at standard rates.)

Can I be removed from EHF?

If you fail to fulfill the terms and conditions of the EHF agreement letter, you will be removed from the program for one year and service termination procedures will be started. (Exceptions may be made if only one payment has been missed.)
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.

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

To get back into EHF, you must pay all of the EHF bills you missed.

The Wise Choice Weatherization Program

What is Wise Choice?

T.W. Phillips’ Wise Choice program helps households with high gas use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.

How can I qualify for Wise Choice?

You must have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. (Click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines.)
Exceptions for the income eligibility guidelines may be made for low-income customers with special needs (such as a medical condition) who might benefit from energy conservation.
You must have a residential gas heating account, must not have moved or had a long break in service during the past 12 months, and must plan to live at the same address for the next 12 months.
If you are a renter, the gas account must be in your name; your unit must be metered separately and have an individual heating system; and permission must be obtained from the landlord.
Additionally, you must have annual gas usage of at least 120 Mcf/year.

What are the actual benefits of Wise Choice?

By participating in Wise Choice, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each month. This will most likely result in lower monthly bills.
By participating in Wise Choice, you will receive a free home energy audit, a gas appliance safety inspection, education to help you learn how to reduce your energy use, and the installation of energy conservation measures (e.g., furnace tune-ups, attic and sidewall insulation, and weatherstripping).

What are my responsibilities as a Wise Choice participant?

To receive services, you must agree to submit verification of your household income as part of the application process.
If you have received LIHEAP grants in the past 12 months, you will be enrolled in EHF and/or LIURP without income verification.
You must listen to information about energy conservation.
You must conserve natural gas.
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.

The CARES Program

T.W. Phillips’ CARES program helps customers unable to pay their gas 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?

There are no income guidelines to qualify for the CARES program. Any customer experiencing a temporary hardship, such as loss of employment or the death of a wage earner, is eligible to apply.
You must be willing to work with a CARES representative, to contact recommended agencies, and to apply for all eligible forms of assistance.

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 T.W. Phillips’ Universal Service programs.
Participants in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending on their payment history and on their specific situation.

Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Fund Program

T. W. Phillips’ 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 T. W. Phillips.

What are the benefits of applying for a Dollar Energy 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).