PHILADELPHIA–Philadelphia utility customers in need of help with bills are invited to attend upcoming virtual Utility Fair events designed to boost assistance program enrollment by making it easier to fill out paperwork and forms.Â
Customers having trouble paying bills may qualify for lower monthly payments and can get personalized help from customer assistance experts by signing up for a Utility Fair appointment at water.phila.gov/utility-fairs
The events will be held on Wednesdays in March from 4–8 p.m. Sessions will also take place Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The events are being held virtually on Zoom and are by appointment only. Customers must register at water.phila.gov/utility-fairs.
Organized by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) in partnership with PECO and Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), the events encourage residents to apply for customer assistance now before enforcement actions on delinquent accounts, such as water shutoffs, resume. Water shutoffs for past-due residential accounts are currently set to resume July 1, 2022. Applying for assistance now can help customers avoid losing water service and having to pay restoration fees.
Customers with past-due water bills may also be eligible for grants from the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Philadelphia Water Department customers may receive up to $5,000 towards delinquent water bills. Customers can learn more and apply at https://www.dhs.pa.gov/waterhelp.
#UtilityFairsPHL sessions will feature customer service staff from PWD and PECO. PGW customers can sign up to have a representative reach out to them directly for assistance. The effort is organized through the utilities and community organizations.
Participants who RSVP will get follow-up information about what paperwork is needed to apply for help. Checklists are also provided in English and Spanish on the registration page.
“Our one-stop application process allows customers to set up lower monthly water bills based on income, senior citizen status, and even Special Hardship situations,” said PWD Commissioner Randy E. Hayman, Esq. “Today, thanks to tireless outreach and strong partners that allow us to do events like these Utility Fairs, tens of thousands of Philadelphia families are enrolled in our programs.”
Qualifying customers will be enrolled in the program that provides the biggest savings. In order for staff to determine the best fit, customers must provide documents showing household income and other information.
Customers can request an application or apply for assistance at www.phila.gov/water-bill-help. Applications can also be requested by calling (215) 685-6300.
