Special
Needs
Our Outreach and Education Program acts as a link between our customers and
National Fuel and keeps customers informed of the services and programs available
from both the company and community agencies. Our consultants will provide
you with names of social service agencies for energy and weatherization assistance,
and can help determine your eligibility for various public programs. Special
National Fuel programs are also available for customers with extreme financial
hardships.
Special Programs
For Special Needs
Customers with hearing or speech
difficulties can communicate with us
on electronic display (TTY or teletypewriter)
by dialing 7-1-1. You may also call 1-800-662-1220
if you live in New York or 1-800-855-2880 if
you live in Pennsylvania. You will need
to provide the relay operator with the telephone
number you wish to call.
For the visually impaired,
we can send bills and bill inserts in large
type or braille and some of our brochures may
be requested in braille. National Fuel will
send a representative to supply large numbered
or braille thermostats at no cost when the need
is verified.
National Fuel subscribes to a translation service
that allows us to talk to our non-English
speaking customers. Ask for "Language
Line" any time, in person or by phone.
A three-way conversation with a translator is
involved. We also have a Spanish speaking representative
who assists us with the Spanish speaking community.
Many of our pamphlets are also available in
Spanish upon request.
Our Extra Security Plan is
for eligible customers who are retired
or permanently disabled. It offers
an extra measure of security for uninterrupted
gas service. It includes coordinating bill due
dates to coincide with the arrival of income
checks to allow for timely payment.
Elderly, Blind or Disabled Payment Troubled
Residential Assistance
This special program is designed to
assist payment-troubled customers who are at
least 62 years of age, blind or disabled. Program
features include a lower monthly gas rate, debt
forgiveness, emergency heating equipment repair
or replacement, and conservation measures depending
upon individual circumstances. Enrollment is
limited.
Special
Protections
New York customers:
National Fuel offers special protections for New York customers who reside in households where all residents are age 62 or older, 18 or younger, blind or disabled. If you or anyone you know-- parents, friends, neighbors-- fit this description, please call us at 1-800-365-3234. Our representatives will review the special protections program, as well as other assistance that may be available.
Pennsylvania customers:
If
you are a Pennsylvania customer and a victim
of domestic violence, you may have some special
credit and collection protections available
to you. To learn more click
here.
Third
Party Notification
For peace of mind, you can designate
a third party to be notified in case you forget
to pay your gas bills. You could choose a relative,
friend, clergyman, or government agency. The
designated third party is not responsible for
paying your bill.
Hospitalized
Customer Assistance Plan
The last thing you need to worry about
when you're in the hospital is the due date
on any bill. If you're anticipating a hospital
stay of ten days or more, call us and we'll
tell you how to extend the due date of your
gas bill by thirty days. If you're permanently
disabled or retired, you may request an extra
measure of security for uninterrupted gas service
by coordinating bill due dates to coincide
with the arrival of your pension or Social
Security checks. Assistance
Referrals
If National Fuel is unable to resolve
your payment problems, we'll find community services
that may assist you. Our Outreach and Education
Consultants can work together with social service
agencies to help you determine if you're eligible
for various public programs.
Special company programs are also available for customers with extreme financial
hardships.
Low Income Customer Affordability Assistance Program (LICAAP)
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive discounts of up to 70% off of the regular residential rate determined by household income and size. You can also receive matching debt forgiveness for timely bill payments up to 24 months. Call 1-800-365-3234 for more information.
If
You're Out of Work
National Fuel representatives offer advice on programs and assistance available
to customers who are unemployed or expecting a layoff. Please call us for more
information.
|
