Council's PGW shutoff hearing is set for Nov. 13, as heating aid applications open

City Council's hearing on Philadelphia Gas Works' residential shutoffs now has a date. The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities will take it up at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in Room 400 of City Hall, according to the posted agenda for that meeting. When we last reported on Oct. 31, the hearing had no date on the calendar.

The timing matters for anyone behind on a gas bill. Pennsylvania's winter moratorium on gas and electric shutoffs runs from Dec. 1 through March 31, but only for households at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, according to the Public Utility Commission's consumer guide. Households above that line aren't covered.

Why Council asked

PGW cut off service to nearly 30,000 residential customers over five months this year, up 39% from a year earlier, the Philadelphia Tribune reported in October. PGW told the paper that affordability "drives decision-making" at the city-owned utility.

Heating aid is open now

Applications for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, are open through April 23, 2027, the Tribune reported Wednesday. The grants are paid directly to the utility and don't have to be repaid. According to that report:

• In Pennsylvania, the income limit ranges from $23,940 for one person to $49,500 for a family of four.
• PGW said about 70,000 grants went to its customers last year, out of roughly 190,000 eligible Philadelphia families. Grants run up to $1,000.
• PGW said about 104,000 customers qualify for both LIHEAP and its Customer Responsibility Program, an income-based bill plan with debt forgiveness. Payments can be as low as $25 a month.
• PGW is holding a free LIHEAP Day from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Ave. Customers can also text "CASH" to 77037 for an application.
• PECO said 40,000 to 45,000 of its customers receive LIHEAP grants each year.

The program's long-term funding is uncertain. A proposed federal budget for 2027 would eliminate it, but money remains in place for this season, 6abc reported.

What our records add

• Nearly every member signed on. Resolution 260897, from 4th District Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., was adopted Oct. 22 and referred to the committee. It lists 16 of the 17 members as sponsors. Cindy Bass is the only one not listed. It calls for hearings on shutoffs for nonpayment "and measures to prevent households from losing essential utility service." Our first story.
• From approval to hearing: 22 days. By comparison, Council's hearing on young riders' safety on SEPTA, set for the same morning, waited five months after it was approved (our story).
• A busy day for the committee. The SEPTA youth safety hearing, held jointly with the Public Safety Committee, starts at 10 a.m. (meeting). The PGW hearing follows at 1 p.m.
• PGW's budget is coming too. On Oct. 29, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker sent Council a proposed amendment to PGW's fiscal 2027 capital budget (Communication 260910). Council approved the original fiscal 2027 PGW capital budget, Bill 260511, 17-0 on June 11.

Also on Nov. 13

The Philadelphia Gas Commission, which reviews PGW's budgets, gave the utility until Nov. 13 to account for gifts and travel received by CEO Seth Shapiro, WHYY reported. Our story.

If you're behind on your bill

• If you have a 10-day shutoff notice or no service, PGW says you can apply for both LIHEAP Crisis and regular LIHEAP grants (PGW). PGW customer service is 215-235-1000.
• The PUC's guide lists other protections, including restoration rules once you pay or meet the conditions set (PUC guide).

What's next

• Nov. 13, 10 a.m.: SEPTA youth safety hearing. 1 p.m.: PGW shutoff hearing.
• Nov. 19: PGW's LIHEAP Day in Germantown.
• Dec. 1: the winter moratorium begins for eligible households.

Hearings are open to the public. Committee hearings usually include time for public testimony, and the city's legislative calendar has the final word on times.