UGI Penn Natural Gas’ Universal Service Programs
General Information:
Where To Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for Penn Natural’s Low Income Programs by calling 1-800-432-8017.
What Are The Names Of Penn Natural’s Programs?
- CAP (Customer Assistance Program)
- LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program)
- CARES (Customer Assistance and Referral Services)
- Project Outreach
How Can These Programs Benefit Me?
- CAP lowers your monthly bill based on the amount of your household income.
- LIURP helps reduce household gas use resulting in lower bills.
- CARES connects you to local social service agencies that can help you.
- Project Outreach provides grants to stop shut-off or to reconnect service.
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 gas usage. Your new CAP bill will be based on your income level, rather than your actual gas usage. This should lead to significant savings on your bill.
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, Penn Natural 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 Penn Natural may begin collection on this amount.
Forgiving past debt:
- As a CAP customer, you will be required to make co-payments on your past debt. Your payment will be between $5.00 and $9.00, depending on your income level. For each month you pay your CAP bill plus this co-payment on time and in full, Penn Natural will credit you an additional $5.00 toward your past due debt.
How do I know if I am eligible for CAP?
- You are eligible for CAP if you have household income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- You must use natural gas to heat your residence, and you must be having problems paying your bill.
What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?
- You must contact Penn Natural at 1-800-432-8017 to apply for CAP.
- You must fill out an application and verify your income, as well as recertify this information at the company’s request.
- You must pay your CAP bill on time and in full each month.
- CAP participants must also apply for the LIHEAP program.
Can I be removed from CAP?
- Yes, you may be removed from CAP if you fail to pay your CAP payments in full and on time.
- 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 CAP if I am removed from the program?
- Yes. To be reinstated in the program, you must pay all of your missed CAP bills.
What is LIURP?
- Penn Natural’s LIURP helps households with high gas use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.
How can I qualify for LIURP?
- You must have household income of 150% or less of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Penn Natural reserves some of its LIURP services for households between 150% and 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- Customers who live in the Wilkes Barre and Scranton areas also must use 1,500 ccf of gas annually to be eligible. Customers in the Williamsport area must use 1300 ccf of gas annually to be eligible.
What are the actual benefits of LIURP?
- By participating in LIURP, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each month. This will most likely result in lower monthly bills.
- By participating in LIURP, 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 LIURP 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) 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 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?
- If you have a delinquent balance or an inability to pay your gas bill, you may qualify for CARES.
- You must use natural gas to heat your residence.
- Seniors or customers with a special needs (such as job loss, disability, loss of the head of the household, or temporary illness) are also eligible.
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 Penn Natural Universal Services programs.
- Participants in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending on their payment history and on their specific situation.
The Project Outreach program provides customers with cash assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances.
What are the benefits of applying for an Project Outreach grant?
- By participating in Project Outreach, you may receive up to a $200 cash grant that will be paid directly to the utility on your behalf.
When can I request a grant from Project Outreach?
- The program is open all year long.
How do I qualify for an Project Outreach grant?
You can qualify for Project Outreach if:
- You have an outstanding balance on your bill.
- You total household income is at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here for a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
- You have a special circumstance that is preventing you from being able to pay your bill.