CEC Hardship Grant

Geographic Scope: CEC service territory in Western Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Forest, Mercer, and Venango counties)

Program Type: Energy assistance for members facing financial hardship

Purpose

Helps members suffering a hardship that makes it difficult to pay their electricity bill.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Have suffered a recent hardship due to: loss of income or employment status, disability, medical emergency, death, military deployment, natural disaster, or other situations approved by the cooperative
• Have not been eligible or have used up all available monies from income-based energy assistance programs
• Have a balance due on their electric bill
• Have been a CEC member for 3 or more years
• Have an average to good credit rating with CEC
• Have made a payment within the past two months prior to application
• Have not received the Hardship Grant in the past 24 months
• Have not been disconnected for non-payment in the past 12 months
• Does not have any record of electric service theft or meter tampering at the service location while in their name

Important Notes

• Members may be required to show verification of the hardship
• Fraud Warning: Anyone receiving a grant by falsifying the application will be required to repay the monies immediately and be prohibited from receiving any energy assistance from CEC in the future
• CEC reserves the right to forgo any predetermined qualifications for grant approval if extenuating circumstances exist

Contact Information

• Phone: 800-521-0570
• Address: P.O. Box 329, Parker, PA 16049

How to Apply

Option 1: Online Application

• Complete the application online at central.coop (link provided on Energy Assistance Programs page)

Option 2: Printable Application

• Download the printable application from central.coop
• Mail completed application to:
  • Central Electric Cooperative, Inc
  • P.O. Box 329
  • Parker, PA 16049

Option 3: Phone

• Call Member Services at 800-521-0570 for assistance

Required Information

• Documentation of recent hardship
• Verification of income or employment status changes
• Current electric bill or disconnection notice
• Proof of CEC membership duration (3+ years)
• Evidence of recent payment (within past 2 months)