Help Paying Utility Bills in Philadelphia: PECO, PGW, and Water

If your PECO, PGW, or water bill is getting ahead of you, Philadelphia has a stack of programs that work together — and most households can use more than one. This guide explains each one in plain words: the discount programs that shrink every monthly bill, the grants that pay down what you owe, and where to apply free.

1. PECO CAP — a smaller electric and gas bill every month

PECO’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) sets your PECO bill as a percentage of your income instead of what you actually used. For households under 50% of the federal poverty level, that is 2% of income for electric service — 6% if electricity is your heat; the exact rate rises by income band (the program serves households up to 150% of poverty), with minimum bills of $10 (electric) and $20 (heat or gas). Every on-time CAP payment also forgives 1/12 of what you owed when you enrolled — pay on time for a year and the old balance is gone. Apply on PECO’s CAP page or call 1-800-774-7040. Details: PECO CAP.

2. PGW CRP — the same idea for gas heat

Philadelphia Gas Works runs the Customer Responsibility Program (CRP): your gas bill is capped at 4% of income (households up to 50% of poverty) or 6% (up to 150% of poverty), with a $25 minimum bill, and each payment forgives 1/36 of your starting balance. Apply online through My Account on the PGW CRP page or by mail — PGW does not take CRP applications by phone or email. Details: PGW CRP.

3. Water TAP — water bills capped by income too

The city’s Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) caps your water bill at 2% to 3% of your income depending on your income band, and each TAP payment forgives 1/24 of your pre-TAP debt — debt-free in 24 payments. Seniors (65+) with income under $42,100 can instead take a flat 25% senior discount. Apply with the city’s single Customer Assistance Application or call 855-827-8373. Details: Water TAP.

4. LIHEAP — a grant that pays your heating bill

LIHEAP sends a grant of $200 to $1,000 straight to your utility for households at or under 150% of the poverty level — you never see a bill for it and it does not need to be repaid. Crisis grants of $25 to $1,000 more are available if you’re facing a shutoff or broken heating equipment. The season runs November 2, 2026 to April 23, 2027. Apply on COMPASS or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095. Details: LIHEAP and our LIHEAP guide.

5. UESF — emergency grants when you’re behind

The Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) pays grants of up to $1,250 toward a PECO bill or $3,000 toward a water bill for households in a utility emergency. PECO’s own hardship fund (MEAF, up to $500 per service) also runs through UESF — one call covers both: 215-972-5170. In LIHEAP season, UESF will ask you to apply for LIHEAP first. Details: UESF.

Put the stack together

A typical Philadelphia household can hold CAP or CRP (a smaller bill every month), TAP for water, a LIHEAP grant each season, and a UESF grant in a crisis year — at the same time. Start with the discount programs, because they keep working every month, then use grants for what’s already owed.

Not sure which ones fit you?

Take our free 2-minute check — utility help is one of 285 free programs in our Philadelphia directory, and we will match you to every program that fits your household and email you a step-by-step guide.

Philadelphia Benefits is not a government agency. Applying is always free at the official sites.