PECO Low-Income Customers Should ACT NOW For LIHEAP Grants Before the Season Closes or Money Runs Out

PECO low-income customers should apply today to take advantage of the $50 million in assistance remaining as part of the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The deadline for Pennsylvania customers to apply for LIHEAP grants has been extended to April 18.

Customers can apply immediately by calling 1-800-34-HELP-4, visiting www.peco.com/help, or by visiting PECO's District Office at 2301 Market Street in Philadelphia.

So far this season more than $8 million in assistance has helped about 25,000 PECO electric and natural gas customers pay their bills.

LIHEAP is a Federal program that provides assistance to individuals who are having trouble paying their electric, natural gas or other energy bills. Homeowners, renters, and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Last year, LIHEAP helped PECO customers by providing more than 63,000 grants to 43,800 customers for more than $14.5 million.

The LIHEAP program provides cash grants up to $1,000 per customer through a direct payment to a vendor, such as a utility like PECO. The maximum crisis grant this year is $500 per customer.

Grants are based on household size and income, type of fuel used and county of residence – and a family of four with an annual household income of $35,325 can qualify for help. To be eligible, annual household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the Federal poverty income guidelines, or:

  • $17,235 One person household
  • $23,265 Two person household
  • $29,295 Three person household
  • $35,325 Four person household

For larger households, the guidelines increase by $6,030 for each additional person.

PECO has been reaching out to customers through community forums, proactive calls to eligible households, direct mail and advertising to ensure eligible customers know help is available and encourage customers to take advantage of these programs.

Service termination for seriously delinquent customers will begin on April 1. Shutting off service is always our last resort. However, in fairness to customers who do pay their bills, termination is sometimes the only way to ensure payment from those who have the ability to pay but do not. By terminating customers who have the ability to pay, the company can better target and assist those customers who truly are struggling.

The most important action a customer can take to avoid termination is to contact the company immediately when they become aware that they will not be able to make their scheduled payment. The most options are available for customers before an account becomes seriously or chronically past due. Customers potentially facing termination should call 1-888-480-1533 immediately.

For more information about LIHEAP, help in filling out the application, or questions, customers can call 1-800-34 HELP4 or visit www.peco.com/help.

PECO manages the largest and most comprehensive Universal Services program in the state. In addition to LIHEAP, PECO has many other programs to help customers manage their energy costs and save money. Other assistance programs include:

  • The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A discounted rate for low-income customers.
  • The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by voluntary contributions of citizens and matched dollar for dollar by PECO for up to $1000 in total assistance for those who qualify.
  • Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP): A program that provides year round conservation and weatherization assistance for qualified households.
  • Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES): A referral and information service designed to assist customers who have temporary personal or financial hardships that prevent the payment of their utility bill.

PECO customers who are not eligible for low-and fixed-income assistance but are having trouble managing their energy costs should also consider taking advantage of other programs including budget billing. Budget billing makes short-term fluctuation in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year.

All customers also can save money on their monthly energy bills by using energy as efficiently as possible. To find low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and money and to take the PECO Smart Home e-Audit, visit www.peco.com/smartideas.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and 497,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 85.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

Contacts:

PECO
Ben Armstrong, 215-841-5555
benjamin.armstrong@exeloncorp.com

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