2011-12 Pennsylvania Grant & Resource Directory

PENNSYLVANIA BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Public Utility Commission (PUC)
www.puc.state.pa.us www.PaPowerSwitch.com
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and
reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent
and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive
markets in an environmentally sound manner.
The PUC offers an online Electric Supply Shopping tool for Consumers through PAPowerSwitch.com. PA
PowerSwitch allows consumers to enter their zip code and see the competitive offers and prices available in
their area. Other features include: a Spanish-language companion site for PAPowerSwitch; consumer alert emails
to customers who plugged their zip codes and contact information into the site to receive weekly updates on
suppliers and prices available in them; a new printable version of the zip-code-searchable supplier list is now
available and in larger print for seniors; and a “PA PowerSwitch” brochure available on the website and upon
request.
PA PowerSwitch is just one of the educational tools. Brochures, speaking engagements, roundtable discussions
and conferences are other ways used successfully to help consumers shop wisely for utility services. To find more
information on upcoming events, check out the Consumer Education Events Schedule on the web at www.puc.
state.pa.us/general/consumer_ed/consumer_ed_events.aspx.
Consumer Education Partnerships – The PUC partners with various companies and organizations to bring
programs to consumers. Past partnerships have included the Utility Companies, State Agencies, AARP Chapters,
Area Agency on Aging, Community-Based Organizations, Legislators, Consortiums, Health Care Agencies,
Schools, Religious-Based Organizations and Consumer Advocates.
For more information or to schedule an educational workshop, seminar, staff training or any other consumer
education event, please contact our Consumer Education Specialists. Contact – Shari Williams at (215) 560-6901,
Christina Chase-Pettis at (717) 772-8884, Erika Dominick at (717) 787-4970 or David Hixson at (717) 787-5722.
For informal complaints or termination issues please contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) toll
free hotline at 1-800-692-7380.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Budget Billing – All residential customers may contact their electric or natural gas company and request budget
billing at any time. Each monthly bill will be the same amount. The company may adjust the bill four times a year,
up or down, depending on the customer’s usage.
Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – CAPs can lower your monthly utility bill. CAPs may also remove the
amount you already owe. The different CAP names are shown beside the company names below. The company
works with the customer to determine what the customer can pay verses the cost of energy used.
Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program (CARES) – The CARES program helps customers
with special needs. CARES may help you find ways to pay your utility bill. For example, special needs are customers
who are experiencing family emergencies, divorce, unemployment or medical emergencies. The goal is to provide
support and direction to help customers pay their utility bills.
Hardship Funds – Utility companies have hardship funds that provide cash assistance to utility customers
to help them pay their utility bills. Hardship funds provide assistance grants to customers who “fall through
the cracks” of other financial assistance programs, or to those who still have a critical need for assistance after
the other resources have been exhausted. The funds make payments directly to companies on behalf of eligible
customers.
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PA Grant & Resource Directory