PECO grants for delinquent customers

PHILADELPHIA >> PECO is sending letters to more than 50,000 residential customers who are delinquent on their accounts and believed to be eligible for grants from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The mailing includes an overview of LIHEAP, a notice that their service could be shut off for non-payment, and contact information to apply for the grants. PECO does not want to have to shut off service because customers have fallen behind on their bill because they did not submit an application for funding.

Less than $51 million remains in LIHEAP funding for Pennsylvania’s low-income residents. LIHEAP provides cash grants, up to $1,000 per customer, through a direct payment made on behalf of a customer to PECO. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills in order to receive a cash grant. LIHEAP also has money allocated for emergencies, including payments up to $500 to reinstate services that have been shut off for non-payment, and for repairing leaking pipes and broken furnaces. LIHEAP is a federal program that provides assistance to individuals who are having trouble paying their electric, natural gas or other heating bills. Homeowners, renters, roomers and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible.

Grants are based on household size and income, type of fuel used and county of residence. A family of four with an annual household income of $36,450 can qualify for help. To be eligible, annual household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, or: $17,820, one-person household; $24,030, two-person household; $30,240, three-person household; $36,450, four-person household. For larger households, the guidelines increase by $6,240 for each additional person. For inforamtion, call 1-800-34HELP4 or visit peco.com/ help. All customers can save money on their monthly energy bills by using energy as efficiently as possible. To find low- and no-cost ways to save energy and money, visit peco.com/smartideas