FirstEnergy Encourages West Virginia Customers to Arrange Payment Plans and Bill Assistance to Avoid Unmanageable Balances
FirstEnergy Corp. informs Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia about available payment plans and bill assistance programs to manage their utility costs during the pandemic. With shutoffs paused, customers should reach out for arrangements to address overdue balances. Available programs include the Dollar Energy Fund, the West Virginia Emergency Assistance Program, and a 20 Percent Discount Program. Customer service teams are ready to assist residential and business clients with these options.
- Customers can enroll in payment plans to manage utility bills effectively.
- Wide range of assistance programs available to prevent service shutoffs.
- Potential future risks as assistance programs may not be available later.
- Financial hardships may lead to increased overdue balances when shutoff moratorium ends.
FAIRMONT, W.Va., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Mon Power and Potomac Edison utilities who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shutoffs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.
"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before, but some of those programs might not be available later, when overdue balances must be addressed."
Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may help customers avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.
Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia may be eligible for one or more of the following assistance programs:
- Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. Program funding is provided by FirstEnergy customers, employees, shareholders and other sources. The distribution of funds is administered by community-based organizations throughout Mon Power and Potomac Edison's West Virginia service territory. For information contact Mon Power or Potomac Edison. The online application process, along with a list of local Dollar Energy agencies, is available at the Dollar Energy Application Process.
- West Virginia Emergency Assistance Program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to help eligible customers avoid termination of electric service. Emergency Assistance is a one-time payment that is applied to the customer's account. Customers must present a disconnect notice at the county DHHR office. For information call 304-558-0684 or find a local DHHR office here Department of Health & Human Resources Agency Finder.
- West Virginia 20 Percent Discount Program is administered by the West Virginia DHHR, Office of Family Support, and can reduce a low-income customers' utility bill by 20 percent from November to March. Eligible customers can obtain applications from the DHHR and send the completed forms to: Mon Power/Potomac Edison, 20 Percent Discount Program, 5001 NASA Blvd., Fairmont, WV, 26554. Applicants can also call 304-558-0684 for additional information.
- 211 is a nationwide resource and information helpline that identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, visit www.wv211.org or text your ZIP code to 898211.
For additional program information, please visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
FirstEnergy's utilities also have established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team. West Virginia utility customer service numbers are:
- Mon Power 1-800-736-3407
- Potomac Edison 1-800-736-3401
Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
Potomac Edison serves about 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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