2014-2015 LIHEAP grants can help keep the lights and heat on this winter

Help is available now for low-income PECO customers through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federally funded program provides grants to low-income utility customers to help them meet their energy costs and stay safe and warm this winter.

Last year, LIHEAP provided more than $14.3 million in grant assistance for PECO customers. Homeowners, renters, roomers and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible.

“It is essential for our low-income customers to submit their applications now, to help ensure their continued warmth this winter,” said Patricia King, PECO’s manager of Universal Services. “We are reaching out to our customers through community forums, proactive calls, direct mail and advertising to help ensure our customers are taking advantage of this important program.”

LIHEAP provides cash grants, up to $1,000 per customer, through a direct payment to a vendor like PECO. LIHEAP also has money allocated for emergencies including payments to reinstate service that has been shut off for non-payment. The maximum grant funding for emergencies 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 $35,775 can qualify for help. To be eligible, annual household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the Federal poverty income guidelines, or:

  • $17,505 One person household
  • $23,595 Two person household
  • $29,685 Three person household
  • $35,775 Four person household

For larger households, the guidelines increase by $6,090 for each additional person.

For more information, help in filling out the application, or questions, customers can call 1-800-34 HELP4 or visit 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 $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 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 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 more than 500,000 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. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are a member of the media and would like to receive PECO news releases via e-mail please send your e-mail address to PECO.Communication@exeloncorp.com

PECOBen Armstrong215-841-4137 or 215-841-5555benjamin.armstrong@exeloncorp.com

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