Pepco Urges Customers to Secure Available Financial Assistance to Help Pay Energy Bills on LIHEAP Action Day!
Pepco Urges Customers to Secure Available Financial Assistance to Help Pay Energy Bills on LIHEAP Action Day
More than 31,000 customers received over $48 million in assistance in 2022, and similar assistance is available to help pay bills now!
WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 16, 2023) — Today, Pepco employees are participating in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Day and advocating for policies that protect funding for the LIHEAP program by sharing stories with elected officials and policymakers that demonstrate the program's value to vulnerable households in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Pepco reminds customers who are struggling with energy bills to take action today to secure millions of dollars that remain available to help pay their energy bills. In addition to the payment arrangements and assistance Pepco provides, the company supports customers in connecting them with federal, local and other funding that may be available to help meet their energy needs.
“We are committed to helping every customer manage through difficult times, but we need customers who are struggling to reach out and take action, so we can connect them with available assistance,” said Morlon Bell-Izzard, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Pepco Holdings, which includes Pepco. “We can do so much more for our customers when they reach out to us early.”
Pepco Customer Care will work with customers having difficulty paying their energy bill by helping enroll customers into available payment options, including:
- Flexible payment arrangements that offer tailored payment plans
- Extending payment periods for balances
- Connecting customers with energy assistance funds
Pepco works hard to keep every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and helping customers secure grants and other support from many available energy assistance programs. In 2022 alone, Pepco helped 31,684 customers secure more than $48 million in energy assistance, funding that helps pay customer energy bills and money that customers do not need to pay back.
“Pepco and United Way of the National Capital Area’s partnership spans decades,” said Rosie Allen-Herring, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of the National Capital Area. “Pepco’s long-term commitment and leadership enables United Way NCA to continue to provide equitable access to resources to improve the lives of our neighbors, especially in communities of color, around our three pillars of health, education and economic opportunity.”
“Energy Assistance of Montgomery County, in partnership with Pepco, has helped tens of thousands of residents with their electric accounts, getting balances paid and staying away from disconnection,” said Olga Schans, lead worker and outreach coordinator, Energy Assistance Program, at Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. “Our Office of Home and Energy Programs has been working together with Pepco to resolve balances on customer’s accounts, technical and bill related issues for vulnerable customers and those needing extra support. Pepco has increased customer awareness and application intake for our office through effective community outreach and marketing initiatives to raise public awareness of energy assistance programs. We are pleased to work with a partner who provides timely resolution on customer accounts and payments, keeping customers top priority when it comes to challenging financial situations.”
Millions of dollars in energy assistance remains available for customers. Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP. LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts based on a household's income size, type of fuel, and type of dwelling, with no pay back required. Maryland customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347. District of Columbia residents can apply for assistance online though the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) website or by calling 3-1-1. DOEE’s Utility Affordability Programs website provides further guidance on assistance programs available for residents who are facing financial challenges.
Other energy assistance for District residents includes:
- The Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program provides energy assistance funding to income-qualified residential Pepco customers. RAD customers typically receive an average discount of 25 percent on their overall bill. Customers can check program eligibility and apply by visiting the DOEE’s web portal at doee.dc.gov/udp. Customers participating in RAD can also participate in the Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which provides customers the option to reduce or eliminate outstanding balances of over $300 that have been past due for 60 days or more. Customers can enroll by calling 202-496-5830 or emailing EnergyAssistanceMailbox@pepco.com.
- Qualified District residents also can sign up for DOEE’s Solar for All program and receive up to 50 percent savings on their Pepco bill over a 15-year period. Learn more by calling 202-299-5271 or online at doee.dc.gov/solarforall.
- Commercial Assistance Programs for District small businesses, houses of worship and nonprofits are also now available, including options such as installment plans, deposits held applications, budget billing and bill deferral. Commercial customers can sign up for these programs by emailing BCSTPEPCO@exeloncorp.com or calling 833-504-8659.
Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:
- Eligible Maryland customers can receive assistance through the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), which helps customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help limited income families during the heating season. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.
- Maryland's Emergency Rental Assistance Program also has funding available to help renters pay their utility bills. Renters can call 877-546-5595.
Customers can contact Pepco at 202-833-7500 to discuss payment arrangements or visit pepco.com/EnergyAssistance to learn more about energy assistance options.
In addition to payment arrangements and energy assistance support, Pepco has many programs that can help customers manage their monthly energy bill, including Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period. The company also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at pepco.com/WaysToSave.
LIHEAP Action Day is hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and connects advocates from across the country with policymakers on Capitol Hill to communicate the importance of the LIHEAP program. To learn more about NEAUC visit their website here.
To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PepcoConnect and on Twitter at twitter.com/PepcoConnect. Pepco's mobile app is available at pepco.com/MobileApp.
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