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Customers urged to secure available assistance to manage their energy costs

WASHINGTON, DC (August 18, 2022) – August is Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month and Pepco is working to ensure its customers and local stakeholders are aware of the important assistance funding provided by this essential federally funded program. For fiscal year 2022, $8.3 billion was provided by the federal government—the most ever to help Americans manage their energy needs.

"LIHEAP is the most important component to the broad set of resources we have to help support our customers who may be struggling with meeting their energy needs," said Morlon Bell-Izzard, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Pepco Holdings, "We understand our customers are still facing the challenges of recovering from the pandemic, while also dealing with the negative impacts of inflation and rising prices for the products and services they use each day. Our customers should take action immediately if they are unable to pay their energy bill."

LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts (up to $1,800 in the District of Columbia and $2,213 in Maryland), with no payback required, based on a household's income, type of fuel and type of dwelling. In the District of Columbia, LIHEAP is available to households with income (before taxes) at or below 60 percent of State Median Income (SMI). In Maryland, a customer's household with members under the age of 67 cannot exceed 175 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines and households with members 67 years of age and older cannot exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Homeowners, renters, roomers, and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant.

"LIHEAP Action Month was initiated more than a decade ago to draw attention to the need for energy assistance at the community level," said Katrina Metzler, executive director of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and organizer of LIHEAP Action Month. "Action Month is dedicated to building awareness of the need for LIHEAP, particularly for bill assistance. It is critical that Congress fund LIHEAP adequately in order to continue to provide essential assistance services for struggling Americans."

Millions of dollars in energy assistance remains available for customers. Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP. Maryland customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347.

District of Columbia residents can apply for assistance online though the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) website or by calling 3-1-1. DOEE's Utility Affordability Programs website provides further guidance on assistance programs available for residents who are facing financial challenges.

Pepco works hard to keep every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and helping customers secure grants and other support from many available energy assistance programs. In 2021 alone, Pepco helped more than 31,030 customers secure $57.9 million in energy assistance, funding that helps pay customer energy bills and money that customers do not need to pay back.

Pepco Customer Care will work with customers having difficulty paying their energy bill by helping enroll customers into available payment options, including:

• Flexible payment arrangements that offer tailored payment plans
• Extending payment periods for balances
• Connecting customers with energy assistance funds

Other energy assistance for District residents includes:

• The Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program provides energy assistance funding to income-qualified residential Pepco customers. RAD customers typically receive an average discount of 25 percent on their overall bill. Customers can check program eligibility and apply by visiting the DOEE's web portal at doee.dc.gov/udp. Customers participating in RAD can also participate in the Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which provides customers the option to reduce or eliminate outstanding balances of over $300 that have been past due for 60 days or more. Customers can enroll by calling 202-496-5830 or emailing EnergyAssistanceMailbox@pepco.com.
• Qualified District residents also can sign up for DOEE's Solar for All program and receive up to 50 percent savings on their Pepco bill over a 15-year period. Learn more by calling 202-299-5271 or online at doee.dc.gov/solarforall.
• Commercial Assistance Programs for District small businesses, houses of worship and nonprofits are also now available, including options such as installment plans, deposits held applications, budget billing and bill deferral. Commercial customers can sign up for these programs by emailing BCSTPEPCO@exeloncorp.com or calling 833-504-8659.

Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:

• Eligible Maryland customers can receive assistance through the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), which helps customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help limited income families during the heating season. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.
• Maryland's Emergency Rental Assistance Program also has funding available to help renters pay their utility bills. Renters can call 877-546-5595.

Customers can contact Pepco at 202-833-7500 to discuss payment arrangements or visit pepco.com/EnergyAssistance to learn more about energy assistance options.

In addition to payment arrangements and energy assistance support, Pepco has many programs that can help customers manage their monthly energy bill, including Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period. The company also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at pepco.com/WaysToSave.

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