Some PECO Customers Could Get $500 Off Energy Bill: See If You Qualify

PHILADELPHIA — As Philadelphia area residents' energy bills soar amid intense summer heat, a bill assistance initiative has been launched to help offset skyrocketing energy payments.

PECO Wednesday announced $10 million in bill assistance via the PECO Customer Relief Fund will soon be made available to help certain customers manage their rising energy bills.

This new fund will provide one-time $500 grants to qualifying limited- and moderate-income PECO customers.

Applications to get the assistance open Monday online here.

Eligible residential PECO customers must be in arrears, and their household income fall between 151 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level. This means a family of four making between $48,547 and $96,450 per year could qualify. These customers will get a one-time credit on their PECO bill after their applications are approved and processed.

The fund can help those customers who may not qualify for existing programs, but who still need help with their bills.

Details on PECO’s energy assistance and bill support programs are available online here.

"The PECO Customer Relief Fund targets those who far too often fall between the cracks – hard-working families who make too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to be financially secure," Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said. "No Pennsylvanian should have to choose between keeping the lights on or paying for their prescriptions or groceries. That’s why today’s announcement is so important."

Funds are being administered through the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

"At United Way, our mission is to fight poverty and expand opportunity for every person in every community we serve," Bill Golderer, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, said. "The PECO Customer Relief Fund will provide vital support to families who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. We are proud to partner with PECO to deliver meaningful, immediate relief—and to continue our work together toward long-term solutions that lift more families out of poverty."