January 24, 2022
As the region’s largest, longest-established energy provider, PECO continually strives to address and meet the needs of the more than 1.7 million electric customers and 532,000 natural gas customers it serves.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is just one of the handful of valuable assistance programs PECO provides for its customers. This federal program provides eligible homeowners, renters, roomers, and subsidized housing tenants with cash grants for financial heating assistance and crisis assistance grants for emergencies such as reinstating service that has been shut off due to nonpayment, fuel payments, and repairing leaking pipes and broken furnaces.
LIHEAP cash grants range from $500 to $1,500, while LIHEAP crisis grants range from $25 to $1,200.
Customers are able to apply for LIHEAP online or by submitting a paper application.
To apply online, visit COMPASS, the digital platform that allows Pennsylvania residents to obtain access to many of the commonwealth’s health and human services benefits at any time.
Paper applications can be downloaded here or picked up at your local County Assistance Office. They can also be mailed to your residence by calling 1-800-34-HELP-4. Once completed, return the application to the County Assistance Office in your area.
The Department of Human Services may take up to 30 days to review your application. Eligible customers will then receive a written notice explaining eligibility and the amount of assistance they will receive.
Benefits are calculated based on income, household size, fuel source and the heating region in which customer lives.
To be eligible for the LIHEAP program, customers must demonstrate a burden on heating and cannot exceed the following income guidelines (based on 150% of the Federal Poverty Level):
| Household Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $19,320 | $1,160 |
| 2 | $26,130 | $2,177 |
| 3 | $32,940 | $2,745 |
| 4 | $39,750 | $3,312 |
| 5 | $46,560 | $3,880 |
| 6 | $53,370 | $4,447 |
| 7 | $60,180 | $5,015 |
| 8 | $66,990 | $5,582 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,810 | $567 |
• Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A program that provides a monthly credit for eligible low-income customers, based on total household gross income and energy usage.• Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A hardship program funded by voluntary contributions of customers, which is matched dollar-for-dollar by PECO for up to $1,000 in total assistance for those who qualify.• Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP): A program that provides year-round conservation and weatherization assistance for qualified households.• Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES): A referral and information service designed to assist customers who have special needs or extenuating circumstances that prevent the payment of their utility bill.• Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): A program created to help Pennsylvania renters dealing with financial challenges with rental and utility assistance to avoid eviction or loss of utility service.
ERAP is the newest financial assistance program, officially signed into law on Feb. 5, 2021. It was created as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand that many of our customers, particularly renters, continue to face financial hardships due to the pandemic," said Funmi Williamson, PECO senior vice president and Chief Customer Officer. "We commend Governor Wolf and the legislature for enacting the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and are hopeful that this new resource, combined with PECO's many flexible payment options and financial assistance programs, will provide necessary support as our region's residents continue to transition through this difficult time.”
In addition to these various programs, PECO also provides special services, including offering around-the-clock interpretation in 140 languages, offering PECO bills in Braille and large type font, and telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired.
To learn more about how PECO is addressing the needs of its customers, visit PECO.com.
