PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 13,
2020) – With customers potentially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,
PECO understands and is taking steps to help. Effective today, PECO is
suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges
through at least May 1, 2020. In addition, PECO will continue to remind
customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance
programs to support them through temporary or extended financial
hardship.
“We are committed to
helping every customer through difficult times, and we know there will
be many challenges associated with this pandemic,” said Mike Innocenzo,
PECO president and CEO. “We are taking important steps to support our
customers and communities throughout this time of uncertainty. PECO
remains committed to delivering safe and reliable electric and natural
gas service to our customers in the communities we serve.”
Customers
who may be challenged to pay their energy bill or have a disconnect
notice should contact PECO Customer Care as soon as possible at
1-800-494-4000. PECO will work closely with customers to waive late
payment fees, avoid having their service shut off, and determine
eligibility for assistance programs. In addition, the company offers
payment options, like budget billing, which averages payments over a
12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, or
flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment
installment plans.
Throughout the
year, PECO offers many other programs to help customers manage their
energy costs and save money. Existing assistance programs include:
- Customer Assistance Program (CAP): This program provides a credit based on household income and energy use.
- Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federal grant program to help low-income customers manage their energy costs and ensure service during the heating season.
- Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A hardship program funded by voluntary contributions of customers and matched dollar for dollar by PECO for up to $1,000 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 special needs or extenuating circumstances that prevent the payment of their utility bill.
To ensure customers receive the most up-to-date information from PECO, they are encouraged to register for “My Account,” an easy, online interactive tool that provides customers with the ability to set alerts and provide important contact information. Sign up at peco.com/myaccount.
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 PECO’s Gift of Energy program, which allows anyone
to make a payment towards a friend or family member’s energy bill. The
gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient’s
account.
Customers can visit peco.com/help and peco.com/gift to find out more about these programs###
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