PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- PECO is gearing up to hit the streets and canvass the company's five county service territory to enroll low- and fixed-income customers into the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before winter bills begin to arrive.
The state Department of Public Welfare, which administers the program, will begin to accept LIHEAP applications on November 5, 2007. Customers should call PECO's LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-34-HELP-4 for more information.
PECO's blitz is designed to encourage customers to "act now" so they can pay their bills, reduce past due balances and possibly avoid termination. To encourage customers to take advantage of assistance programs, the company is aggressively reaching out to customers through community forums and energy fairs, proactive calls to eligible households, a targeted advertising campaign, community events and a mailing that will reach 200,000 potential LIHEAP applicants. In addition, customers who participated in the program last year will automatically receive a new application for the 2007-2008 assistance grants.
"We are going to be working all fall and winter long to make sure our low- and fixed-income customers get the help they need," said Patricia King, manager of universal services. "We'll be at churches, community events, energy forums and any other opportunity that allows us to enroll our low- and fixed-income customers into one of PECO's assistance programs."
Low- and fixed-income customers can also contact PECO's Universal Services department at 1-800-774-7040 for eligibility requirements and information on discounted rates, financial counseling, weatherization assistance and assistance grants, including the LIHEAP cash and crisis grants.
LIHEAP provides grants to meet monthly heating costs. Eligibility is based on gross yearly income and begins for individuals with an annual income of $15,315 or less and a family of four with an annual income of $30,975 or less. LIHEAP crisis grants are one-time cash payments to assist with emergencies including heater repair, fixing broken pipes and the reconnection of service following termination.
Currently, more than 125,000 customers; either residential, special need, medical, low- and fixed-income, senior or individuals who have temporary personal or financial hardships; benefit from PECO's assistance programs, which is the largest program of its kind in Pennsylvania.
In addition to LIHEAP, other programs offered by PECO include:
-- The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A discounted tariff rate for
low- and fixed-income customers. The program has five different rates
that range from zero percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty
level depending on the customer's family size and income.
-- The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by
voluntary contributions of caring citizens and matched by PECO for up
to $500 in total assistance for those who qualify. Those interested in
making a monthly or one-time donation can call the company at
1-800-403-6806.
To manage winter heating costs, PECO encourages all consumers to consider its budget billing plan and increase the energy efficiency of their home. Budget billing, which eliminates seasonal billing fluctuations, makes monthly bills predictable by dividing customers annual energy costs into stable monthly payments.
Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility serving 1.6 million electric and 470,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2005, the company delivered 38.7 million megawatt-hours (Mwh) of electricity and 85.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to residential, business and institutional customers. PECO's energy delivery services generated $4.91 billion in revenue for Exelon. 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.
Contact: Cameron Kline
PECO
2301 Market Street, S14-1
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-841-5555
PECO
