NEW in 2024: Utilities Benefit
You can now use your OTC card to help pay for utilities such as Internet, Telephone (landline or cell phone), Cable, Water, Gas, Oil, or Electric. Your utility benefit is $50 per month in a purse that is separate from your OTC/Grocery benefits. Your utility benefit can be rolled over from month to month but cannot be combined with your OTC/Grocery purse.
Utility Benefit FAQ
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Order from a wide variety of brand-name and generic health and wellness products using your monthly benefit of $150.
- You may place orders using the catalog and mail-in order form included with it, or
you may obtain OTC products by visiting a participating retail location. - You can also place OTC orders online through the Benefits Pro Portal at
PHP.NationsBenefits.com or call us directly at (833) 689-3378 (TTY: 711)
Groceries
Enjoy access to healthy food items. You can use your monthly allowance to buy the healthy food items you need using your monthly benefit of $150.
- You may obtain healthy food items by visiting a participating retail location to
use your monthly allowance. - You can also place grocery orders online through the Benefits Pro Portal at
PHP.NationsBenefits.com or call us directly at (833) 689-3378 (TTY: 711)
Fresh Produce
A wide variety of fruits and vegetables to help you achieve your desired health goals using your monthly benefit of $150.
- You can place fresh produce orders online through the Benefits Pro Portal at
PHP.NationsBenefits.com or call us directly at (833) 689-3378 (TTY: 711)
Prepared Meals
A convenient way to access meals rich in nutrients to maintain better health and well-being using your monthly benefit of $150.
- You can place fresh produce orders online through the Benefits Pro Portal at PHP.NationsBenefits.com or call us directly at (833) 689-3378 (TTY: 711)
Benefits Pro Portal
Visit the Benefits Pro Portal via PHP.NationsBenefits.com for the easiest way to access your benefits. Ordering your products and tracking your benefit has never been easier:
- Search by category, price, and more
- View available benefit allowance
in real-time - Order health and wellness OTC products,
healthy food items, fresh produce, and
prepared meal - Track order status in real-time
- View, print, and request additional copies
of your OTC catalog - Find the nearest participating retail locations
to make in-store purchases - You can also activate your OTC card via
the Benefits Pro Portal
Make Sure to Activate Your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card OTC Card as Soon as it Arrives Prior to Use to Take Full Advantage of Your Benefits
-
Download the Benefits Pro app
to your mobile device
-
Call to activate at
(877) 205-8005
(TTY: 711)
Call NationsBenefits at (833) 689-3378 (TTY: 711)
with any questions you may have.
Member Experience Advisors are available
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. local time, 7 days per week,
365 days per year.
Language support services
are available free of charge.
Nations Benefit Utility Benefit
Reminders & Frequently Asked Questions
Important Points to Remember Regarding Your Utility Benefit
- Please ensure that your OTC is activated before using your utility allowance.
- Inform the utility company representative that your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card must be entered as “credit”.
Who is eligible for this benefit?
Actively enrolled community members are eligible to participate in this utility benefit. Members who reside in an IRA, ICF, or family care are not eligible to participate.
Before paying with your OTC card, you should contact your utility company. Utility companies may process card payments differently.
- When speaking with a utility company representative, you should let them know you are using a Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card that has a limited balance available. Some companies may require you to split your payment, first authorizing a transaction up to your allowance amount, and then authorizing a second transaction for the remaining balance.
- You may also use your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card to help pay down your balance in advance of your payment due date.
- Some utility companies may charge a transaction fee and if so, they may ask you to pay this transaction fee with another form of payment or you may be able to use your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card.
- Please contact your utility company representative to see if you can set up automatic payments with your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card.
What is my Utility Benefit and what utilities can this benefit be used for?
PHP is providing you with $50 per month in a separate purse on your current OTC card which can be used to help pay for utilities such as Internet, Telephone (landline or cell phone), Cable, Water, Gas, Oil, or Electric. Your monthly benefits can roll over from month to month and must be used by December 31, 2024. The maximum annual allowance is $600 which will be based on the month of your enrollment.
Example 1: If you enroll on April 1, 2024, you begin to receive $50 in your utility purse which can be used during April or rolled over into May.
Example 2: If you are already enrolled in PHP on or before January 2024, you will receive $50 in your utility purse which can be used during January or rolled over into February 2024.
What utility companies participate in this program?
Some utility companies that may participate in this program are Verizon, AT&T, Spectrum, T Mobile, Optimum, Con Edison, National Grid, etc. Please contact your utility company to ensure that payment can be made using your Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card.
What utilities are excluded from this benefit?
Housekeeping, landscaping, pay-per-view, streaming services, trash collection, etc.
What day of the month is the utility benefit available in my account?
Your funds will be available in your account on the first day of each month.
Can I rollover my utility benefit into 2025?
No, this utility purse is for the calendar year 2024. Although you can roll over your benefit from month to month, it must be used by December 31, 2024.
Can I use the utility benefit to add to my OTC Benefit?
No, the utility benefit allowance will be in a separate purse from the OTC/Food purse and cannot be combined.
No, you will use the same card that you already have for the OTC Benefit.
How do I know what my balance is for the utility benefit?
You can contact Nations Benefits directly at 833-639-3378 or via their web portal at PHP.NationsBenefits.com.
Can I use my card to pay utility bills online?
Yes, you must contact your utility carrier to ensure that they will take payment from the Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card, and you can set up payment directly with the utility company.
Can I use my card to pay for utilities that are under another person’s name?
Yes, you can use your card to make a payment if the utility bill is in the name of a relative or caretaker. The utility bill does not have to be in your name if it is your primary residence.
Can I use my card to pay for utilities that are included in my rent/housing?
No. You cannot use your card to pay for utilities that are already included in your rent/housing.
Can I pay my utility bill at a grocery store, pharmacy, check cashing place, gas station, etc.?
You can only pay utility bills directly to the participating utility company.
What if my utility companies do not accept the Utility Benefit Card?
Please reach out to Nations Benefits customer service at 833-639-3378
What do I do if I lose my card?
Please contact Nations Benefits at 833-639-3378 or via their web portal at PHP.NationsBenefits.com.
Can I convert my utility allowance into cash?
No, this benefit allowance must be used to pay utilities using the Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card only.
