In The News

PGW Urges Customers to Enroll in Payment Assistance Programs

PGW seeks to help customers who have fallen behind on their natural gas bills

PHILADELPHIA (March 16, 2021) - Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers who are behind on their natural gas bills and face potential service interruption are strongly encouraged to call PGW at 215-235-1000 or visit pgworks.com as soon as possible to discuss their account and seek available assistance, where eligible.

With the expiration of Pennsylvania’s winter termination moratorium on March 31, 2021, PGW hopes to connect with customers struggling to pay their PGW bill and explore their options, enroll in payment assistance programs and apply for available grant assistance.  Termination of service can restart as soon as April 1, 2021.

One option for PGW customers is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides federal grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 to help income-eligible families pay their energy bills and restore service. LIHEAP grants are available to both renters and homeowners and do not have to be repaid.

Customers without service or who have received a 10-day shut-off notice may – along with LIHEAP – also apply for a Crisis Assistance federal grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services until the April 9, 2021 deadline.

“PGW’s goal is to keep customers’ natural gas service on, and we want customers to know that PGW is here to help,” said Denise Adamucci, Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Customer Programs at PGW. “Customers can call our Customer Care Team now at 215-235-1000, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to learn about the payment plan that best meets their needs. For too many of our customers, the pandemic has brought significant challenges, including financial challenges, but there is help available through PGW’s robust payment assistance programs. PGW wants to hear from you if you need assistance.”

In addition to LIHEAP, PGW offers the Customer Responsibility Program (CRP), which helps low-income households better afford their bills and receive forgiveness of past debt. Based on household income, customers enrolled in CRP could pay as little as $25 a month on their PGW bill.

Several more payment assistance programs are available for PGW customers, including:

• UESF (Utility Emergency Services Fund): A grant for up to $750, which PGW will match with an additional $750, and is designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill and bring it to $0.
• Payment Arrangements: For PGW customers who fall behind.
• Budget Billing: Sets up a consistent pay amount each month of the year.
• Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Program (CARES): Provides referral assistance to residential customers with special circumstances. These might include medical emergencies, unemployment or other temporary hardships.

In addition to calling 215-235-1000, customers can find information on PGW’s payment assistance programs at pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance

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Philadelphia Gas Works Warns Customers About Scams During National Consumer Protection Week

PGW educates customers and stakeholders about how to protect themselves from imposter utility scams

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2021) –  Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), this week joins Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) to recognize National Consumer Protection Week, which aims to educate customers on how they can guard against becoming victims of impostor utility scams.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails, and in-person tactics, and they continue to contact utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection.
 

“Unfortunately in today’s day and age, people are looking to prey on the most vulnerable in the form of scams.  We want to ensure the safety of our valued customers and recommend a variety of safeguards when encountering a possible scammer claiming to work for PGW,” said Melanie McCottry, Vice President, Corporate Communications & External Affairs at PGW. “Should a customer of ours ever feel that something does not seem right, it is crucial to alert PGW. We want to hear from you. Your safety is our top priority.”

PGW warns that not everyone is who they claim to be and recent incidents are a reminder to customers about remaining vigilant against imposters. PGW advises customers to follow these tips to prevent being victim to a scam:

• Customers should never share private information, such as their PGW account number or social security number, with anyone over the phone, or via text or email.  PGW will never ask for a customer account number.  
• Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PGW does not accept prepaid cards as payment and utility companies always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including online, phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in-person payments.
• If someone threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification.
• All PGW employees have ID badges, official PGW vehicles with clearly visible PGW logos. Customers who feel the slightest bit unsure about a person’s claim to be from PGW should call 911.

For additional information about imposter awareness, visit pgworks.com/safety-reliability/imposter-awareness.

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PGW Files for Gas Cost Rate Adjustment with the PUC

PHILADELPHIA (March 1, 2021) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) has filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to set the annual Gas Cost Rate (GCR) for residential customers at $4.1361 per one thousand cubic feet (Mcf). If approved, the new rate would go into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.

The GCR, currently set at $3.4687 per one thousand cubic feet, reflects the cost of natural gas that PGW purchases from its gas suppliers and does not include a profit margin. The rate is recalculated on a quarterly basis (March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, Dec. 1) to show PGW’s actual costs. Customers are then notified of GCR adjustments through messaging on their bills.

PGW’s residential natural gas rates are determined by two methods: a supply charge and a delivery charge. The supply charge indicates the amount of a customer’s gas usage and what PGW pays for the gas, which is passed on to the customer without change. The delivery charge is based on the costs of delivering natural gas to residences, maintaining distribution systems and other services.

For more information about the GCR, visit pgworks.com/about-us.

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