Utility Assistance
Notice: GECAC is announcing a temporary pause in the Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund program. During this pause, assistance is unavailable to Erie County residents seeking help with home heating costs.
The program's funding source is evaluating the program and hopes to resume funding at a later date. GECAC looks forward to continuing its partnership in providing Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund assistance to Erie County residents when funding becomes available again.
GECAC encourages residents seeking utility assistance to contact their utility company to see what support is available.
The Issue
With rising utility costs, 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 for 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.
Furnace Repair
For assistance with the repair or replacement of heating equipment, call 1-800-365-3234 and ask about the Emergency Repair and Replacement Program.
