PHILADELPHIA (April 8, 2015) – PECO low-income customers have more time to secure grants to help pay their electric and natural gas bills as the deadline to apply for the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to May 1.  With about $40 million still available in LIHEAP assistance in Pennsylvania, PECO customers should apply now before funds run out.

With assistance available only until funds run out, PECO customers are encouraged to apply for their LIHEAP grant immediately by calling 1-800-34-HELP-4, visiting www.peco.com/help, or by visiting PECO's District Office at 2301 Market Street in Philadelphia.

So far this season more than $11 million in assistance has helped about 40,000 PECO electric and natural gas customers pay their bills.

LIHEAP is a Federal program that provides assistance to individuals who are having trouble paying their electric, natural gas or other energy bills.  Homeowners, renters, and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible.  Last year nearly 44,000 PECO customers received more than $14.5 million in LIHEAP assistance.

The LIHEAP program provides Cash grants up to $1,000 per customer through a direct payment to a vendor such as a utility like PECO.  The maximum Crisis grant this year is $500 per customer.  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 $35,775 can qualify for help.  To be eligible, annual household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines or:

• $17,505 one-person household
• $23,595 two-person household
• $29,685  three-person household
• $35,775  four-person household

For larger households, the guidelines increase by $6,090 for each additional person.

PECO manages the largest and most comprehensive Universal Services program in the state.  In addition to LIHEAP, PECO has many other programs to help customers manage their energy costs and save money.  Other assistance programs include:

• The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A discounted rate for low-income customers.
• The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by voluntary contributions of citizens and 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 temporary personal or financial hardships that prevent the payment of their utility bill. 

PECO customers who are not eligible for low- and fixed-income assistance but are having trouble managing their energy costs should also consider taking advantage of other programs including budget billing.  Budget billing makes short-term fluctuations in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year.

All customers also can save money on their monthly energy bills by using energy as efficiently as possible.  To find low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and money and to take the PECO Smart Home e-Audit, visit peco.com/smartideas.

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Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC).  PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 506,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region.  PECO delivered 89.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2014.  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.  For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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