Washington Gas is committed to supporting our customers who are experiencing financial challenges and have trouble paying their gas bill. We are here to help. Our Washington Gas Cares program is designed to connect customers with several energy assistance programs and a variety of flexible payment plans. Our team is prepared to help you manage the challenges of paying your utility billand we stand ready to connect you with an energy assistance option or a payment plan that fits your budget — simply visit www.washingtongascares.com.
Don’t wait. Act now. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can explore options and find a solution best suited for you.
Get Help
o STAY DC: A program that provides financial assistance to Washington D.C. residents who are unable to pay rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit stay.dc.govor call 833-4-STAYDC from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Apply now to get the help you need to recover and get through this. Through STAY DC, the District will:
• Pay unpaid rent going back to April 1, 2020;
• Pay forward rent, up to 3 months at a time;
• Pay for water, gas, and electricity expenses on your behalf, and
• Provide extended housing support for up to 18 months, per tenant.
o LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP): The federal government distributes funds to the District of Columbia which, in turn, provides grants to qualified applicants to help them pay their energy bills. For assistance on LIHEAP, RES or a payment plan, call 844-WASHGAS and select option 2. Please note that wait times may be extended due to the higher call volume.
o RESIDENTIAL ESSENTIAL SERVICE (RES): Eligible households may qualify for a discount on a portion of the natural gas they use each month during the heating season from Nov. 1 to Apr. 30. To be eligible for the RES discount, customers must:
• Use natural gas as the main source for home heating; and
• Be certified by the Department of Energy & Environment as eligible for LIHEAP.
Give Help
o Customers can provide aid to those struggling to pay their bill through an act of kindness. For example, our Gift of Warmth program allows customers to help pay a gas bill for their friend, neighbor or fellow customers.
o Customers can also donate to the Washington Area Fuel Fund. More than 35 years ago, Washington Gas and The Salvation Army created the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) to help families in need pay their heating bills.
There are many payment options available to assist with managing your Washington Gas bill:
o Deferred Payment arrangements are available for up to 12-months, or 24-months for customers receiving energy assistance with no down paymentrequired.
o Budget Plan spreads the cost of winter heating over the entire year. We calculate your average monthly payment based on historical natural gas usage,adjusted for normal weather and projected gas costs.
o Payment Extension Plan are available for residential customers only and allows for the extension of the payment due date.
o Automated-Payment Plan allows you to sign-up to pay your bill automatically every month on your payment due date.
“Washington Gas is dedicated to the communities, families, neighbors and individuals we serve. It’s part of who we are and what the Washington Gas Cares initiative is all about ─ to lend a helping hand when customers can use it the most,” said Blue Jenkins. “Our team stands ready to support customers facing difficult decisions when paying their bills. We can identify the right energy assistance option and payment plan that fits a customer’s budget and schedule during a time of need. Customers can also contact us directly. Let us help you today.”
Prepare for Fall – Money and Energy Savings
As seasons change, customers may notice a fluctuation in their bill amounts. It is recommended that customers take simple steps such as:
o Setting your thermostat to 78°F in the summer and early fall.
o Hanging up window treatments that block sunlight and prevent heat from entering through your windows.
o Replacing your air/furnace filter regularly.
o Changing your light bulbs to LEDs.
o Caulk, weather-strip and insulate openings where you think air may infiltrate your home.
Stay safe, cool and energy-smart when temperatures begin to rise. Following these steps may help manage your home energy costs
