Launches additional programs designed to help customers with temporary or extended hardships, including those impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 13, 2020) – With customers potentially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, PECO understands and is taking steps to help. Effective today, PECO is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1, 2020.  In addition, PECO will continue to remind customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance programs to support them through temporary or extended financial hardship.

"We are committed to helping every customer through difficult times, and we know there will be many challenges associated with this pandemic," said Mike Innocenzo, PECO president and CEO. "We are taking important steps to support our customers and communities throughout this time of uncertainty.  PECO remains committed to delivering safe and reliable electric and natural gas service to our customers in the communities we serve."

Customers who may be challenged to pay their energy bill or have a disconnect notice should contact PECO Customer Care as soon as possible at 1-800-494-4000. PECO will work closely with customers to waive late payment fees, avoid having their service shut off, and determine eligibility for assistance programs.  In addition, the company offers payment options, like budget billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans.  

Throughout the year, PECO offers many other programs to help customers manage their energy costs and save money. Existing assistance programs include:

• Customer Assistance Program (CAP): This program provides a credit based on household income and energy use.
• Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):  A federal grant program to help low-income customers manage their energy costs and ensure service during the heating season.
• Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A hardship program funded by voluntary contributions of customers 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 special needs or extenuating circumstances that prevent the payment of their utility bill.

To ensure customers receive the most up-to-date information from PECO, they are encouraged to register for "My Account," an easy, online interactive tool that provides customers with the ability to set alerts and provide important contact information.  Sign up at peco.com/myaccount.

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 PECO's Gift of Energy program, which allows anyone to make a payment towards a friend or family member's energy bill. The gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient's account.

Customers can visit peco.com/help and peco.com/gift to find out more about these programs.

###

PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas utility. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 532,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. The company's 2,700 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. In 2018, PECO was named to Forbes Magazine's list of Best Employers for Women. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.8 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 9,000 local jobs and producing $775 million in labor income. PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are a member of the media and would like to receive PECO news releases via e-mail, please send your e-mail address to PECO.Communication@exeloncorp.com.