Pepco Urges Customers To Seek Help With Utility Bills, MOCO Options

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — More than 31,000 Pepco customers received over $48 million in help with their energy bills in 2022, and similar assistance is available now in Montgomery County.

On Thursday, Pepco employees participated in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Day and advocated 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, a news release said.

“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," Schans said in a statement. "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.”

Pepco said customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills can make payment arrangements and use the assistance Pepco provides. The company can connect users with federal, local and other funding 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

In 2022, 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.

LIHEAP provides grants to pay utility bills 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.

Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:

• Eligible Maryland customers can receive assistance through the Electric Universal Service Program which helps customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance 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 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 Programswebsite 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 visitpepco.com/EnergyAssistance to learn more about energy assistance options.

Pepco customers can manage their monthly energy bill by 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.