PHASE 4 PHLRentAssist is now open!!

Phase 4 Facts:

• Landlords and tenants can apply. If a landlord applies, their tenant must be eligible, and they must get written consent from their tenant. If a landlord does not wish to participate, the rental assistance can be paid directly to the tenant.

• Applicants who received funds in Phases 1-3 of PHLRentAssist are eligible to apply for Phase 4, however, applicants may not receive funds for any months which they have previously been paid.

• Tenants are eligible if they meet all three of these criteria:

  1- Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). View income guidelines here.

  2- Qualify for unemployment benefits; or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced some other financial hardship due to COVID-19.

  3- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Tenants can meet this criterion if they have any past-due rent, past due utilities, received an eviction notice, or are paying over one-third of their household income on rent.

• Assistance for both rent and utilities is available:

  1- Rent assistance can be provided for up to 18 months total, including back rent and forward rent. However, no more than 3 months of forward rent can be provided at one time. Tenants who receive 3 months of forward rent and have not exceeded the 18 months of total assistance, may reapply for another 3 months of forward rent.

  2- Applicants with rent arrears must satisfy at least one month of those arrears before applying for forward rent.

  3- Assistance may only be provided for months of rent after April 2020.

  4- The total amount of rent assistance cannot exceed $2,000 per month, and that amount may include late fees or other charges passed on by the landlord.

  5- Utility payments can be provided for up to 18 months total.

  6- Utility payments must have been accrued on or after March 12, 2020.

  7-Utility payments can only be for the current month and past-due utility payments (assistance is not available for future months’ utility bills).

• Utility payments can only be for the current month and past-due utility payments (assistance is not available for future months’ utility bills).

Visit PHLRentAssist for more details and Questions? Call 311 or visit our HELP Portal.

Utility Shutoff Starting Soon!!!

Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers. Click the image to download the NEC list with addresses.

Contact a Neighborhood Energy Center (NEC) if you need help with:

(Download the list clicking on the image)

• Energy Assistance Grants

• Utility Payments Arrangements

• Energy Conservation

• UESF

• Home Repair Programs

• Budged Counseling

• LIHEAP

Heater Hotline
The Heater Hotline provides free repairs for income eligible homeowners with broken gas, oil, coal, or electric heating systems. This year round program can perform preventative maintenance and heater clean outs during the spring and summer months.
More details here.

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit https://clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

Utility Shutoff Information

• Need Help Paying Your Electric Bill?
  PECO's Customer Assistance Program can help!

• Need Help Paying Your Gas Bill?
  PGW's Customer Responsibility Program can help!

• What is a Neighborhood Energy Center?
  Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers

• Need Help Paying Your Water Bill?
  Apply for the Water Department's Tiered Assistance Program!

• DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR HEAT?
  THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) CAN HELP: online or Call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 to request an application.

• Are You Struggling to Afford Internet Access?
  Comcast Internet Essentials
  Other Internet Options - Pre-Paid Internet Service
  PHL ConnectEd
  Find free public WIFI at: https://tinyurl.com/wifiphilly

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit www.clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

Live: Ask Questions About Help with Philly Utility Bills!

Why wait for shutoffs to resume? You could be saving money on water bills right now.
Join us Monday November 23 at 6 p.m. for a special Facebook Live Town Hall and hear from a Philadelphia Water Department customer assistance expert as well as PECO and PGW reps!
This live Q&A presentation is being hosted by Philadelphia City Council At-Large Rep. Kendra Brooks to walk you through enrollment in cost-saving programs like LIHEAP and our special hardship discount just for Philadelphia water customers.
Register now to get your questions answered about the moratorium on utility shutoffs, LIHEAP, and other low-income bill pay programs. Customers are also encouraged to submit a question ahead of the live event:

RSVP + Submit Questions Now!