1. We—DC Government—will tell you if you have been approved by phone or email within two business days of applying. You can also call 311 (tel:+1-311)to get an update on your application. 2. We will pay up to $600 to PEPCO, Washington Gas, and/or DC Oil to cover your overdue bills. If more than one of your utilities is turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each utility to restore your service. If you are 55 years old or older and more than one of your utilities is at risk of being turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each utility to maintain your service. 3. After you are approved for emergency assistance, you can call the utility company using the phone number on your bill to ask them to turn your service back on. The utility company can usually turn your service back on within one business day after you call. If $600 was not enough to cover your overdue payments, they may ask you to cover all or part of the difference before turning your service back on. 4. If you aren’t already receiving non-emergency utility assistance (javascript:void(0))from us, we’ll let you know in person or by email how much assistance you’re eligible for and sign you up for assistance on your future utility bills automatically. You’ll start seeing the credits and/or discounts on your bills within two billing cycles of when you applied (about two months after). If you are not approved, we will let you know by phone or email within two days of when you applied. You can also call 311 (tel:+1-311)to get an update on your application. You can appeal our decision within 90 days of hearing that your application is not approved. We just need your name, address, and the best way to contact you (phone or email). You can appeal online (https://dcforms.dc.gov/webform/department-energy-environment-ask-director)or by calling 311, or by writing to us at: The Office of Administrative Hearings 441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 450 North Washington, D.C. 20001

Yes.

If your utility bill does not list your name or the name of someone in your household, you must be able to show that someone in your household owns your home or is responsible for paying your utility bill.

First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, please reach out to us by calling 311 (tel:+1-311)at any time. Or, you can email us at liheap.support@dc.gov (mailto:liheap.support@dc.gov?subject=Emergency LIHEAP Question)with the subject line, “Emergency LIHEAP Question.”

You can find information about other resources that might help on our utilities resources page.(javascript:void(0))

Can I combine this program with other energy assistance and efficiency programs? Yes. When you apply for emergency assistance, we’ll automatically check your eligibility for assistance paying for your electricity, gas, oil, and water bills.(javascript:void(0)) If you’re approved for emergency assistance to turn your utility back on, you’ll start seeing the credits and/or discounts on your bills within two billing cycles of when you applied (about two months after). You can also say that you’re interested in getting help to reduce your home’s heat and electricity use (javascript:void(0))and/or to replace a broken heating or cooling appliance.(javascript:void(0)) If you’re approved for emergency assistance to turn your utility back on, we will email you within two business days explaining how to apply for these programs. What determines how much emergency assistance I receive? The amount of assistance can be up to $600. The amount you receive depends on how much you owe on the utility that was turned off. If more than one of your utilities is turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each to restore your service. If you are 55 years old or older and more than one of your utilities is at risk of being turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each to maintain your service. Can I receive emergency assistance if I have received assistance from the program before? Yes, you can receive emergency assistance again as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, but you can only receive it only once per fiscal year, which starts in October and ends in September. For example, if you receive emergency assistance in November of this year, you won’t be able to receive it again until October of next year. Can I receive emergency assistance on two or more different utility bills? Yes. If more than one of your utilities is turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each to restore your service. If you are 55 years old or older and more than one of your utilities is at risk of being turned off, we’ll pay up to $600 to each to maintain your service. My utility bill is not in the name of anyone that lives in my home. Can I still apply? Yes, you can still apply. If your PEPCO, Washington Gas, or DC Oil bill does not list a household member’s name, you must include proof that someone in your household owns your home or a copy of the lease agreement that states that someone in your household is responsible for paying your home’s PEPCO, Washington Gas, or DC Oil bill. My household doesn’t have any income. How can I prove that? If your household doesn’t have any income, you can submit one of these documents with your application: • An notarized income statement,(https://doee.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddoe/service_content/attachments/DOEE%20Income%20Affidavit_final%20%284%29.pdf) • A screenshot of your "Claimant Profile" page on the Department of Employment Services (DOES) website showing that your "Balance" is zero (see example)(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d13cac_006df4819fe34d17b870291456ed5cc2~mv2.jpg), • A recent letter from your former employer stating that you no longer work there (if you've lost your job but are not yet receiving unemployment benefits from DOES), OR • A recent letter from the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) stating that your household doesn't have any income