Navigating utility bills can be challenging, especially during tough times. PECO understands this and offers a range of Universal Service Programs designed to support eligible customers in managing their energy costs. These programs, including the Peco Cares Program, Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP), Customer Assistance Program (CAP), and the Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF), provide various forms of assistance, from bill discounts to energy conservation measures and financial grants. This guide will help you understand each program and how they can benefit you.
Exploring PECO’s Customer Assistance Programs
PECO provides several programs aimed at making energy more affordable and accessible for customers who qualify. If you’re struggling to keep up with your PECO bills, it’s essential to know that help is available. You can directly inquire about and apply for these programs by calling PECO’s dedicated line at 1-800-774-7040.
Let’s delve into the specifics of each program:
Customer Assistance Program (CAP)
The Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is designed to make your monthly energy bills more manageable. Here’s how CAP can help:
Reduced Monthly Payments
CAP provides a significant discount on your ongoing electricity or gas usage. The discount amount varies based on your household income level, with five different discounted rates for electric customers and four for gas customers. This income-based discount can lead to substantial savings on your monthly energy expenses.
Debt Management Support
CAP offers crucial support for managing past utility debt:
- Freezing Past Debt: Upon enrollment in CAP, any pre-existing debt with PECO is frozen. As long as you consistently make your CAP payments on time and in full, PECO will not pursue collections on this frozen amount, and no late fees will be applied to it.
- Debt Forgiveness: Consistent, timely payments are rewarded. If you pay your CAP bill in full and on time for six consecutive months, PECO will forgive your entire outstanding pre-CAP debt. This is a significant opportunity to get a fresh start.
- Important Note: Failure to pay your CAP bill in full and on time can result in removal from the program and potential collection actions on the previously frozen debt.
CAP Eligibility
To be eligible for CAP, you must meet the following criteria:
- Income Level: Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. You can find the Federal poverty income guidelines here.
- Payment Difficulty: You must be experiencing trouble paying your utility bills.
- Program Participation Agreement: You need to agree to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and participate in LIURP services offered by PECO.
Your Responsibilities in CAP
Maintaining your CAP enrollment requires fulfilling certain responsibilities:
- Application: Contact PECO at 1-800-774-7040 to apply for CAP.
- Income Verification: Complete the application process and provide necessary income verification documents.
- Timely Payments: Ensure your CAP bill is paid in full and on time every month.
Program Removal and Re-enrollment
It’s important to be aware of circumstances that can lead to removal from CAP:
- Payment Delinquency: Not paying your CAP bill in full and on time each month can lead to late charges and potential service termination.
- Eligibility Changes: An increase in household income above the program guidelines, failure to provide annual income information, or non-compliance with program guidelines can result in removal.
- Re-enrollment: If removed, you can re-enroll in CAP by paying all past due CAP bills.
Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
The Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) focuses on helping households lower their energy consumption, leading to reduced bills.
What LIURP Offers
LIURP is designed to promote energy conservation and lower your monthly bills through:
- Energy Reduction: The program assists high energy users in conserving energy.
- Lower Bills: By reducing energy consumption, participants typically see a decrease in their monthly energy bills.
- Free Home Energy Assessment: LIURP includes a free in-home energy usage review.
- Energy Education: You’ll receive education and guidance on how to effectively reduce your energy use.
- Weatherization Measures: LIURP may provide for the installation of weatherization measures, such as replacing old, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient models, to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
LIURP Eligibility
To qualify for LIURP, you need to meet specific criteria related to energy usage and income:
- Income Guidelines: Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines, OR between 150% and 200% if you have a past due balance. Refer to the Federal poverty income guidelines here.
- Energy Usage Thresholds: PECO requires a certain level of energy consumption for LIURP eligibility:
- Electric Heat: Minimum 1,400 kWh monthly usage.
- Gas Heat: Minimum 100 ccf’s monthly usage.
- Electric Baseload (Non-CAP customers): Greater than or equal to 600 kWh monthly.
- Electric Baseload (CAP customers): Greater than or equal to 500 kWh monthly.
- Eligibility Check: Call 1-800-675-0222 to verify your eligibility. Applications are accepted year-round.
Your Responsibilities in LIURP
Participation in LIURP involves a few key responsibilities:
- Income Verification: You must agree to submit income verification as part of the application process.
- Landlord Permission (if renting): If you are a tenant, you’ll need to obtain permission from your landlord to receive LIURP services.
- Home Energy Audit and Inspection: You must allow PECO employees or subcontractors to conduct an initial home energy audit and a follow-up inspection one year after weatherization measures are installed. This follow-up helps assess the program’s effectiveness in reducing your energy consumption.
PECO CARES Program: Connecting You to Community Resources
The PECO CARES Program is a vital resource that connects customers facing temporary financial hardships with community-based social service agencies and resources. This program recognizes that sometimes, managing utility bills is just one part of a larger challenge.
How CARES Can Help
The PECO CARES Program is designed to provide support beyond just bill payment assistance. It aims to address the root causes of financial strain by:
- Community Referrals: CARES provides free referrals to non-profit and social service agencies in your local community that can assist with a range of issues contributing to your financial hardship.
- Access to Other PECO Programs: Participants in CARES can also receive guidance and referrals to other PECO Universal Service Programs, ensuring they are aware of all available assistance options.
- Special Payment Arrangements: Depending on your payment history and specific circumstances, CARES may facilitate special payment arrangements with PECO to help you manage outstanding balances.
CARES Eligibility
Eligibility for the CARES program is based on a combination of factors, recognizing various vulnerable situations:
- Income Level: Your income should be at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (link to guidelines).
- Specific Circumstances: Consideration is given to:
- Senior Citizens: Senior status is a factor in eligibility.
- Government-Based Income: Customers relying on government assistance are considered.
- Payment Trouble: You must be experiencing difficulty paying your PECO bills.
- Temporary Hardships: CARES is specifically designed for those facing temporary hardships such as:
- Divorce
- Family emergencies
- Unemployment
- Medical emergencies
Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) Program
The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) program offers direct financial assistance to customers in need. It operates as a hardship fund, providing grants to help pay down outstanding utility balances, particularly when LIHEAP is not available.
MEAF Benefits
MEAF grants can provide crucial financial relief:
- Financial Grants: Eligible customers can receive grants of up to $500 per commodity (gas or electric) to be applied towards their past due utility debt.
- Support for CAP Payments: MEAF grants can also be used to help make up for missed payments within the CAP program, aiding in maintaining CAP enrollment and debt forgiveness progress.
When to Apply for MEAF
The application windows for MEAF grants vary depending on the administering agency and income level:
- UESF (Utility Emergency Services Fund) Applicants (Philadelphia):
- Can apply anytime if ineligible for LIHEAP.
- If income is 135% – 175% of the Federal poverty income guidelines, applications are accepted even when LIHEAP is open.
- Suburban Fuel Funds Applicants (Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, York, and Bucks counties):
- Must have applied for LIHEAP (when applicable).
- If income is 135% – 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines, applications are accepted even when LIHEAP is open.
MEAF Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility criteria differ slightly between UESF and Suburban Fuel Funds:
MEAF UESF Grant Eligibility (Philadelphia Residents):
- Income Limit: Household income at or below 175% of Federal poverty guidelines (link to guidelines).
- Residency: Must be a resident of Philadelphia.
- Service Status: Utility service must be shut off or in a shut-off status.
- Bill in Applicant’s Name: The utility bill must be in your name or your spouse’s name.
- Head of Household (if employed): If employed, must be the head of household supporting a minor or senior dependent.
- Grant History: Must not have received a UESF grant within the past two years.
- LIHEAP Application: Must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs when available.
- Bill Reduction to Zero: The MEAF grant must reduce the utility bill balance to zero, either alone or in combination with other resources.
MEAF Suburban Fuel Funds Grant Eligibility (Suburban County Residents):
- Income Limit: Household income at or below 150% of Federal poverty guidelines (link to guidelines).
- Residency: Must be a resident of the county where applying for the grant (Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, York, or Bucks).
- Service Status: Utility service must be shut off or in a shut-off status.
- Bill in Customer’s Name: The electric or gas bill must be in the customer’s name.
- LIHEAP Application: Must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs when available.
- Weatherization Services: Must have signed up for weatherization services provided by your county.
- Bill Reduction to Zero: The MEAF grant must reduce the utility bill balance to zero, whether used alone or with other resources.
Getting Help from PECO
PECO’s Universal Service Programs are designed to provide a safety net for customers facing financial hardship. Whether you need help managing monthly bills, reducing energy consumption, connecting with community resources through the PECO CARES Program, or require emergency financial assistance, PECO offers pathways to support.
Take the first step towards energy security. Contact PECO today at 1-800-774-7040 to learn more about these programs and find out which one is right for you.
