Provides support in 3 basic program areas:
-Basic Need(eg. groceries, medical expenses)
-Employment Support(eg. transportation costs, ID, cell phone, resume/job search, education fees, pre-employment costs etc...),
-Housing Stabilization(eg. evection and utility shut-off prevention, fuel, storage etc...).

The services through which these programs provide support are: Client Emergency Fund-emergency financial assistance, Community Closet-grocery cupboard that focuses on personal care and household items (not covered by SNAP/FoodStamps) and supplemental dry food goods, and the ACT Now Network-email network of those willing to be informed when there is an urgent need (e.g.clothing, home goods, ride to doctor).

Action Wellness Housing staff offer assistance to clients who are experiencing difficulty finding or maintaining housing. Staff provide a range of services and options to assist clients in securing and maintaining safe, affordable housing. Housing services include counseling, subsidized housing for homeless individuals with HIV Disease, and assistance applying for housing related benefits and entitlements.

Administers the Operation Help program which offer year round heating bill payment assistance (oil, electric and gas utilities) and security deposit waivers to PPL customers who qualify (low income and extreme hardship).

CEO is able to provide utility customers with access to assistance to help with bill payment for gas and electric services.

CEO Haz is able to provide utility customers with access to assistance to help with bill payment for gas and electric services thru PPL, UGI Fuel Funds and Energy Conservation
PPL programs, such as security deposit waivers.

Energy Assistance through the PPL OnTrack program allows reduced monthly payments and debt forgiveness for past due bills for PPL customers who qualify.

**NOTES**
Working remotely to provide services until further notice.

Provides utility assistance, service planning and case management to low-income individuals and families.

**NOTES**
Working remotely to provide services until further notice.

Provides utility assistance, service planning and case management to low-income individuals and families.

**NOTES**
Working remotely to provide services until further notice.

Provides utility assistance, service planning and case management to low-income individuals and families.

**NOTES**
Working remotely to provide services until further notice.

Provides utility assistance, service planning and case management to low-income individuals and families.

Community Progress Council has closed our facilities to the general public; however, appointments and programs are being offered virtually/ online.

• CPC is seeing WIC participants on a limited basis so current women and children receiving WIC benefits continue to have access to formula and food.
• All Early Head Start, Head Start and PreK classrooms operated by CPC are closed.
• We are processing HEMAP applications
  
  Promoting self-sufficiency by helping clients understand and navigate available services in the community.
  
  
  One on one guidance to help clients become self-sufficient by providing assistance with job searching, job applications, resume building, financial literacy/budgeting, and navigating social service programs with referrals.
  
  
  
  Able to process Dollar Energy Grant Fund applications, Columbia Gas CAP applications, and Adams Electric Project Helping Hands applications for utility assistance.
  
  
  
  OTHER SERVICES:
  
  
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) on Tuesday and Thursday
  
  
• Community Progress Council's WIC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  
  
• Offers Home Buyers Workshops as well as credit/debt counseling hosted by Community Progress Counsel Housing Program

Helps UGI customers lower their utility bills. Must meet eligibility guidelines.

Administers the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for lower income Met Ed electric households. Program provides bill subsidy, debt forgiveness and free weatherization services, sponsored by Met Ed and First Energy. Must meet income guidelines.

The Help Hotline provides to the residents of the Blue Ridge Summit area assistance in the form of a clothing bank, food banks and limited financial assistance with utility bills. All assistance must be done by contacting the Help Hotline manager at 717-762-9050, who will then schedule an appointment for either Tuesday evening or Saturday morning each week, unless considered an emergency. Assistance may be coordinated with surrounding agencies in regards to utility bills. The Help Hotline serves a 4 county area, within established boundaries.

Integra Home Counseling Inc.(IHC), will soon be rebranded "Envision Home Guidance Center" IHC is the only U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Approved Housing Counseling Agency located in Monroe County PA with 2 HUD Certified Housing Counselors on staff, one of which is a Certified Financial Coach, along with being an Act 91 Housing Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Approved Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
Our HUD Housing Counseling Program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the unhoused (often referred to as homeless).


The primary objectives of our Program are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing, and preserve homeownership.





Our staff of HUD Certified Housing Counselors are trained to provide the following services:


-Financial Management/Budget Counseling

-Financial, Budgeting, and Credit Repair Workshops

-Fair Housing Education Workshops

-Home Improvement and Rehabilitation Counseling

-Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling

-Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Workshops and Counseling

-Pre-Home Purchase Counseling
-Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops

-Predatory Lending Education Workshops

-Rental Housing Counseling and Workshops

-Resolving/Preventing Mortgage Delinquency
-Reverse Mortgage Counseling

-Housing Counseling Services for the Unhoused

Our Pre-home purchase counseling can help homebuyers become eligible for various financial benefits, including:


-Down payment assistance programs

-Closing cost grants

-Below market mortgage rates
-Fixed-rate loans



-Provided information on fair housing, fair lending, and accessibility rights
-Developed sustainable household budgets
-Assisted clients to improve their financial capacity (reduce debt load, increase savings, increase credit score)
-Provided access to housing and non-housing resources
-Assisted unhoused or potentially unhoused households to obtain housing
-Aided tenants to avoid eviction
-Helped first-time homebuyers obtain mortgages
-Assisted homeowners with understanding home equity conversion mortgages (HECM)
-Aided homeowners to improve their home conditions and affordability
-Assisted homeowners facing foreclosure to prevent or resolve a mortgage default and stay in their home.

Jubilee Soup Kitchen offers a hot meal daily. Day Shelter for the Homeless. Social Service: provide services around homeless issues; A shower, personal grooming supplies, and a temporary mailing address for the homeless. Financial Assistance: provide services around rent and utility, budgeting, employment, dollar energy fund, and travelers aid. John Heinz Child Development Center provides affordable, educational childcare to empower children (ages 1 to 5 years old) for success in school.

As of October, 8th, 2020, due to COVID-19, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille modified the March, 2020 order suspending utility terminations.

Enhanced Consumer Protections Details of each of these items may be found by clicking here.
OR cut and paste web site in your browser: https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2020/puc-enhances-utility-protections-for-families-businesses-struggling-with-financial-impact-of-covid-19

No Terminations for “Protected Customers” – Utilities shall not terminate service for residential customers with incomes within 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). (see income chart in "Eligibility" section of this listing)

• Special Outreach to Customers At-Risk of Termination – Utilities must reach out to individual residential and commercial customers whose unpaid balances put them at-risk of termination after the PUC moratorium is lifted on November 9th, 2020.
  
• Payment Arrangements for Small Businesses – Utilities shall offer a payment arrangement for a period of no less than 18 months to small business customers, as defined by a utility’s tariff.
  
• Waiver of Connection/Reconnection Fees – Utilities shall waive all connection, reconnection and deposit fees for protected customers.
  
• No Late Payment Charges – Late payment charges are waived for protected customers.
  
• Additional Medical Certificates – Two additional medical certificates shall be accepted by utilities for eligible customers.
  
• Flexible Income Verification – Utilities and the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services can utilize flexible methods to verify customer income for assistance programs, payment plans and qualification as a protected customer
  
  NOTE for utility concerns regarding PAYMENT PLANS, BILLING ISSUES and/or SERVICE:
  1. Consumers should always call their utility provider first to make payment arrangements or share concern.
  2. IF that effort is unsuccessful, consumers may call 1-800-692-7380
  3. Based on the intake process this office may or may not be able to help resolve the issue.
  
  CONSUMER COMPLAINTS: This office investigates and attempts to resolve consumer complaints against regulated companies; monitors companies for compliance with regulations; educates public on consumer rights and responsibilities; and provides background information on the rate-making process.
  
  

Provides three services:


- Grants of up to $500 per year

- A discount on the monthly service fee

- Water-saving devices and education

Working with local agencies, OnTrack offers a payment plan to existing PPL clients. OnTrack will pay for the difference in monthly electric bill, as long as clients pay the OnTrack bill in full by each monthly due date. Reduced monthly payments are based on each household's income.

Helps clients pay an overdue bill, set up a payment plan, restart a previous payment agreement, or request a due date extension.

Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) assist low-income residential utility and energy consumers connect to and maintain affordable utility and energy services within their homes.

- Assistance and information regarding utility termination and payment arrangements
- Utility customer service obligations
- Universal Service Programs
- Landlord-Tenant related utility issues
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Issues

**NOTES**
No walk-ins due to the pandemic.

Administers UGI's CAP and Operation Share programs. Applicants must meet income guidelines and are not eligible if they are already disconnected.

Administers Operation Share program for UGI gas customers only. Eligibility includes income guidelines and not yet disconnected. Year round program.

**NOTES**
Temporarily inactive due to the pandemic

Administers Operation Share program for UGI gas customers only. Eligibility includes income guidelines and not yet disconnected. Year round program.

**NOTES**
Temporarily unavailable due to the pandemic

UGI/heating fuel payment assistance is available in winter. Must meet eligibility criteria and should call before shut-off date.

Works with utility companies to ensure that their customers have options when it comes to making their utility payments during times of crisis.



- CAP (UGI): Provides lower monthly payments and forgiveness of back balances for individuals at/below 150% of FPIG.



- Operation Share (UGI): Provides a one-time grant for families that fall at/below 250% of FPIG and are typically over income for the CAP program.



- EFSP: Federal funding providing emergency heating assistance to individuals with the cost of one month's usage of fuel oil or propane or one month's usage of a past due utility bill.



- ESG: Funding for individuals and families facing an eviction, shut-off notice, living in a shelter or other place not meant for human habitation.

Electric or gas service that has a meter at the location of the service which is read and billed monthly. The Salvation Army through the Emergency Food and Shelter program will pay one month's bill to prevent shut off of service.

Emergency Assistance for financially struggling individuals and families in crisis seeking assistance for such things as food, clothing, shelter, rent, household utility expenses and similar miscellaneous living needs. Referrals made for assistance not offered at facility, such as the Salvation Army Johnstown Dental Center. May also offer seasonal assistance, such as Back-to-School and Project Bundle-Up where funds are available. Call for holiday programs (toys and food).

Designed to assist low-income individuals pay for needed utility services, pending the availability of program funding.

Administers the following programs:
Ontrack: program is designed to lower a customer's monthly payment while PPL forgives a portion of the back debt upon compliance with the program. Proof of income required. Must not exceed 150% of the poverty guidelines.

Operation Help: For individuals with special hardships in paying their energy bills. Funds are provided by PPL which requires the family be a PPL customer and have an income under the 200% of the poverty guideline. Program requires the family is in an emergency situation and nearly out of heating fuel. Family is asked to provide a co-pay of a $100.00 money order and Schuylkill Community Action will cover the difference charged by the fuel company for a minimum delivery.

Electric deposit waiver program: For those under 200% of the poverty guidelines.

UGI CAP and Operation Share: Help with past due gas utility bills. Income must not exceed 150% of the poverty guidelines. Must have income and be an active UGI customer.

Water/Sewer Utility Assistance - Assistance with water/sewer bill includes past due bills, facing a shut off or reconnection. Income guidelines apply.

Provides emergency food.

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

Dollar Energy Penelec Electric - available to households at 200% of federal poverty level and allows for the award of a grant of up to $400 to be applied towards a past due electric bill; applications from October 1st to February 28th may only be made if an individual has a shut off notice; starting on March 1st anyone who meets income eligiblity may apply with the stipulation that $150 has been paid towards their electric bill over the past 90 days.

Dollar Energy - Accepts applications for grants from Hardship Program on a first come, first serve basis during the set program dates and while funding is available. Must meet all guidelines to be eligible to receive a grant.

UGI Operation Share - Company based cash grants awarded to households who need assistance with winter heating bills.

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

PPL ON Track Payment Program - Offers a lower fixed monthly payment for electric bills. Income guidelines apply. Do not need an overdue bill to qualify.

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

PPL ON Track Payment Program - Offers a lower fixed monthly payment for electric bills. Income guidelines apply. PPL will forgive the difference between actual bill and lower fixed OnTrack amount, up to the maximum credit amount of $4,027 for electric heat, or $1,310 for another heat source like natural gas or oil. PPL will also forgive a portion of payment debt over 18 months. As long as OnTrack payments are made on-time each month, at the end of 18 months the overdue balance will be $0. Do not need an overdue bill to qualify.

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

Dollar Energy Penelec Electric - available to households at 200% of federal poverty level and allows for the award of a grant of up to $400 to be applied towards a past due electric bill; applications from October 1st to February 28th may only be made if an individual has a shut off notice; starting on March 1st anyone who meets income eligiblity may apply with the stipulation that $150 has been paid towards their electric bill over the past 90 days.

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

Dollar Energy Penelec Electric - available to households at 200% of federal poverty level and allows for the award of a grant of up to $400 to be applied towards a past due electric bill; applications from October 1st to February 28th may only be made if an individual has a shut off notice; starting on March 1st anyone who meets income eligiblity may apply with the stipulation that $150 has been paid towards their electric bill over the past 90 days.

PPL ON Track Payment Program - Offers a lower fixed monthly payment for electric bills. Income guidelines apply. Do not need an overdue bill to qualify.

Claverack Rural Electric- HOPE Program- Assist customers in arrears

Housing services include housing-related counseling, landlord-tenant mediation, housing relocation assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention. Services provided through Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Homeless Assistance Program

Utility assistance and/or mediation services available for eligible clients experiencing difficulty with utility payments. Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Available programs for assistance include:

Penelec Customer Assistance Program - available to households at 150% of federal poverty level and allows for a lower monthly bill based on this income.

Dollar Energy Penelec Electric - available to households at 200% of federal poverty level and allows for the award of a grant of up to $400 to be applied towards a past due electric bill; applications from October 1st to February 28th may only be made if an individual has a shut off notice; starting on March 1st anyone who meets income eligiblity may apply with the stipulation that $150 has been paid towards their electric bill over the past 90 days.

UGI Operation Share - Company based cash grants awarded to households who need assistance with winter heating bills.

Provides assistance to households that need help paying a utility bill or are in need of fuel assistance in an emergency situation in order to prevent utility shut off.
In addition, coordinates PPL's and UGI Penn Natural Gas Customer Assistance Programs. PPL Programs include: OnTrack Payment Program, E-PowerWise Program, Operation Help (OpHelp), WRAP (Winter Relief Assistance Program), and Security Deposit Waiver Program. UGI programs include: Customer Assistance Program (CAP), Operation Share (OpShare), and LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program). These programs are eligibility based with varying income and household qualifications. Services are available to residents of both Union and Snyder Counties.