If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying a natural gas bill, please contact the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) at 311 or online at https://doee.dc.gov/energyassistance, to determine eligibility for the following programs. Eligibility for most programs depends on household size and total household income. Other factors may apply depending on the program.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
Through this program, the federal government distributes funds to the District of Columbia which, in turn, provides grants to qualified applicants to help them pay their energy bills. Find out if you qualify at: https://doee.dc.gov/energyassistance.
RESIDENTIAL ESSENTIAL SERVICE (RES) also known as the UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM (UDP)
With this program, eligible households may qualify for a discount on their monthly bills from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Customers will also enjoy an additional advantage during the warmer months—from May to October. Specifically, customers will receive a 50% discount on the monthly Customer Charge during the non-winter heating season.
To be eligible for the RES discount, customers must:
• Use natural gas as the principal source for home heating; and
• Be certified by the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE).
Apply for both the LIHEAP and RES/UDP by mail, online or in person. For more information visit: https://doee.dc.gov/energyassistance.
Washington, DC English Application.
Washington, DC Spanish Application.
Apply online at: DOEE Energy Community Online System.
ARREARAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (AMP)
We understand that some of our customers continue to face financial hardships brought on by the pandemic. In response, Washington Gas has launched the Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which provides customers the opportunity to have past due debt forgiven when new bills are paid on time. Our Arrearage Management Program (AMP) can help you avoid additional debt while steadily paying down any past due balances. After successfully completing a 12-month payment plan, you will receive forgiveness for past-due balances.
AMP assists customers by helping to:
- Lower or eliminate existing past-due balances.
- Bring accounts current.
- Help manage the budget when costs are rising.
- Avoid disconnection.
- Reduce financial stress
Based on a recent decision by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, customers who have been approved by the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) for energy assistance will be automatically enrolled into our AMP program. Accounts automatically enrolled into AMP would then be placed on a Budget Plan, which allows customers to spread the cost of gas bills over the entire year and enjoy peace of mind with predictable monthly payments, for the next 12 months. Following AMP enrollment, you would be responsible for only paying the current budget bill amount on time. With each month that you pay your budget bill amount, 1/12th of your arrearage balance as of the enrollment into the program will be forgiven. Upon successful completion of the 12-month budget plan, you will receive forgiveness of the complete amount of your arrearage balance.
If you have a past-due balance of more than $3,000, you must first bring your past due balance to $3,000 or less. You can do that by seeking other eligible sources of support including visiting Washington Gas Cares at https://www.washingtongascares.com.
If you have any questions contact us via email at DCAMP@washgas.com, via phone at the DC AMP Hotline at 703-750-4399, or via mail at at P.O. Box 57000, Springfield, VA 22150-7000.
We look forward to helping you lower or eliminate your past-due balance with this convenient and easy-to-use program.
HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND (HAF)
As a District of Columbia homeowner, you can apply for financial assistance through the DC Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The fund provides financial assistance to District residents trying to make housing-related payments. Eligible homeowners impacted by COVID-19 can apply for grant funding to cover mortgage payments and other housing expenses, including utility payment assistance, up to $4,000.
Learn more and apply for HAF at https://haf.dc.gov/.
WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), WAP provides technical and financial assistance to help low-income residents reduce their energy bills and maintain energy-efficient, safe and healthy homes. Through WAP, eligible families receive energy audits performed by and local contractors who also install audit-recommended energy efficiency measures. Typical weatherization measures may include insulation, duct sealing, heating, and cooling systems repairs or replacement, air infiltration mitigation, and installing ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances.
You must first be approved for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or someone in the household must currently receive Social Security Income or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Once you apply for LIHEAP and indicate your interest in WAP, a DOEE representative will contact you for the next steps.
For more information, visit the website https://doee.dc.gov/service/wap or contact DOEE at 311 or energyefficiency.conservation@dc.gov
EMERGENCY MECHANICAL SYSTEM PROGRAM (EMS)
The DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) administers the EMS program, which provides for the immediate emergency replacement of existing mechanical systems (hot water tanks, furnaces, boilers or air conditioning) with high efficiency systems. EMS is meant for residents whose mechanical system has failed and requires repair or replacement in the next few days.
You must first be approved for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or someone in the household must currently receive Social Security Income or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Once you apply for LIHEAP and indicate your interest in EMS, a DOEE representative will contact you for the next steps.
For more information, visit the website https://doee.dc.gov/service/wap or contact DOEE at 311 or energyefficiency.conservation@dc.gov.
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
If you are unable to complete the online application, you can have a family member, friend, or a designated Community Based Organization (CBO) assist you in completing the application (all required documentation must be submitted with application). See the list below for the CBO closest to you. Beginning in May 2021, the following community-based organizations (CBO) can assist you in filling out an application:
Organization
|
Phone number
|
Address
|
Ward
|
Catholic Charities
|
202-338-3100
|
2812 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, WDC 20020
|
7
|
GW Urban League
|
202-265-8200
|
2901 14th Street, NW, WDC 20009
|
1
|
Salvation Army (SE)
|
202-678-9771
|
2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, WDC 20032
|
8
|
Salvation Army (NW)
|
202-332-5000
|
1434 Harvard Street, NW, Suite B, WDC, 20009
|
1
|
Housing Counseling
|
202-667-7339
|
2410 17th Street, NW, Suite 100, WDC 20009
|
1
|
UPO
|
202-231-7910
|
2907 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE WDD, 20032
|
8
|