Helping Hand

One-time GWP bill payment or deposit assistance for low-income customers

What is the Helping Hand Program?

The Helping Hand Program helps customers continue electric service by providing up to $150 in one-time GWP bill payment or deposit assistance for low-income customers who are experiencing a temporary financial emergency.

One-Time Bill Payment Assistance

In order to receive Helping Hand assistance you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a GWP residential customer with an open account for at least six months. (Not required for deposit)
• Service must be connected and in immediate jeopardy of being disconnected, i.e., must have received a GWP disconnection notice (Not required for deposit assistance).
• Must have one of the documented temporary financial emergencies listed below. Proof is required.
  • Unexpected medical, medical supply and/or pharmaceutical expenses - customers must provide receipt(s) for doctor’s visit, hospital stay, prescriptions or medical supplies.
  • Death in family - customers must provide a copy of the death certificate.
  • Unemployment – this includes being laid off, experiencing a reduction of hours, or being terminated. Customers must provide proof of termination, copy of unemployment check, or paycheck stubs that shows reduced hours.
• Must not have previously received GWP Helping Hand assistance.
• Proof of total gross household income at or below income eligibility guidelines or provide similar proof of low-income status such as enrollment in GWP Senior Care Program, Section 8 or letter of certification from a local community-based organization.

Customers must be able to provide documentation of the stated emergency. This documentation has to verify costs to the customer that exceed the cost of their GWP bill and must have occurred within two months prior to the billing period or deposit.

One-Time Deposit Assistance

• Must provide a written description of the temporary financial emergency that prevents you from paying the required deposit.
• Must not have previously received GWP Helping Hand assistance.
• Provide proof of total gross household income at or below income eligibility guidelines or provide similar proof of low-income status.

Income eligibility requirements for the Helping Hand program

Number of Household Members	Annual Income Eligibility Limit
1 - 2	$31,800
3	$37,400
4	$45,100
5	$52,800
6	$60,500
For Each Additional Household Member Add	$7,700

To apply for Helping Hand call (818) 548-3300 to request an application be sent to your home.

This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice and is provided to qualified customers on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available.