Utility Assistance

The Issue

With the rising cost of utilities, more families are being priced out of heat—a basic and essential human need. When families can't afford heat, their safety and well-being are at risk.

Our Impact

GECAC's Utility Assistance program helps nearly 399 customers obtain assistance through Neighbor-for-Neighbor funds.

Water: GECAC is unable to assist with water bills.
Electric: Please contact Erie County Care Management at (814) 743-5837 for assistance with your electric bill.

Heating Assistance: Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund

This home-heating assistance grant program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and helps Erie County residents to:

Prevent the disconnection of their service
Pay current or past-due energy bills (excluding electric utilities)
Purchase home heating fuel of any kind

To Qualify

To qualify for a grant, applicants must meet ONE of the following requirements:

Be at least 55 years old
Household is below 200% federal poverty guidelines
A member of their household must be handicapped or have a disability that reduces the household's income (must provide documentation)
Have a certified medical emergency (must provide documentation)
Be a veteran (must provide documentation)
Experience a verifiable, recent loss of income within the past 30 days (must provide documentation)
Receive unemployment benefits (must provide documentation)
Have made at least 3 "good faith" payments to their heating company within the past year

Other Requirements to Qualify

Applicants must provide evidence of need.
Applicants must reside in National Fuel's service territory; however, they are not required to be National Fuel customers.

How to Apply

Make an appointment with GECAC by calling (814) 459-4581 ext. 206
Accepts applicants from October 1- February 2 from customers whose service is terminated.
Accepts applicants for all customers from March 1-September 30 as funds are available.
Complete the application with GECAC's caseworker.
The grant will be applied directly to your utility account if you are awarded a grant.
Bring all the necessary information to your appointment. You will need:

Photo IDs for all adults in the household
Proof of household income
Gas or propane account number

How Can I Support Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund?

Contribute to the Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund. National Fuel customers can have a tax-deductible donation of $1, $2, $5, or any other amount added to their monthly bill.