PECO joined Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and local community partners on Wednesday to announce a $10 million relief effort aimed at helping residents manage rising summer energy bills.
Through the newly launched PECO Customer Relief Fund, eligible low- and moderate-income customers will be able to receive a one-time grant of $500. The fund is supported by Exelon, PECO’s parent company, and will be administered by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
Officials say the initiative is designed to ease the financial strain on households grappling with higher utility costs during the summer months.
“PECO has deep roots in our community and we’re proud to do our part during this challenging time as local families struggle with overall inflation pressures, including energy bills,” said David Vahos, PECO President and CEO. “PECO provides a critical service that keeps our communities safe, healthy and strong.”
Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Customers can learn more at peco.com/Relief.
“At United Way, our mission is to fight poverty and expand opportunity for every person in every community we serve,” said Bill Golderer, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. “The PECO Customer Relief Fund will provide vital support to families who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet.”
To qualify for the assistance, residential customers must have past-due balances and a household income between 151% and 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that range falls between approximately $48,500 and $96,450 annually.
Eligible customers will receive a one-time $500 credit applied directly to their bill once their application is approved and processed.
“The PECO Customer Relief Fund targets those who far too often fall between the cracks – hard-working families who make too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to be financially secure,” said Davis. “No Pennsylvanian should have to choose between keeping the lights on or paying for their prescriptions or groceries. That’s why today’s announcement is so important.”
PECO continues to offer a range of programs aimed at making energy more affordable and helping customers manage their bills. These include LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), the Customer Assistance Program (CAP), and the Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF).
Customers can also take advantage of online tools through PECO’s My Account platform to monitor and manage their energy usage more efficiently. Additional resources, such as PECO’s energy assistance finder, help connect customers with financial aid, bill management options, and energy-efficiency programs that can reduce overall energy consumption and lower monthly costs.
So far in 2024, PECO has connected 140,000 customers with energy assistance programs, delivering more than $170 million in aid. For more information on available support options, visit peco.com/BillSupport.
