Peoples Natural Gas is encouraging customers experiencing financial difficulties to apply for a grant through the 2023-24 Dollar Energy Fund assistance program that started on Sunday, Oct. 1.

Customers can access grants of up to $500 through the program which are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.

To be eligible for a one-time payment, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Customers also must have their service turned off or in threat of termination, have applied for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program crisis benefits, and have made a “good faith” payment to the account within the last 90 days of applying for the grant.

In addition, the account must be for a residential service, and the adult whose name is on the account must be currently living in the household.

Customers can visit www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp to apply.