FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Utilities Encourage Customers to Arrange Payment Plans and Apply for Bill Assistance Programs

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) encourages struggling residential customers in Pennsylvania, served by Penelec, Penn Power, Met-Ed, and West Penn Power, to enroll in payment plans and bill assistance programs.

Amid ongoing financial challenges due to the pandemic, the company highlights multiple support initiatives including the Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers are urged to contact their utility provider for enrollment and assistance options. FirstEnergy aims to help mitigate rising customer debt and ensure continued service during winter months.

Positive

• Launch of multiple assistance programs for financially struggling customers.
• Encouragement for customers to contact utilities for personalized support options.

Negative

• Continued financial difficulties for customers linked to the pandemic.

Programs can help alleviate growing balances for customers having financial difficulty

GREENSBURG, Pa., Jan. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential customers of Penelec, Penn Power, Met-Ed and West Penn Power, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or to receive referrals for bill assistance programs.

"Many of our customers continue to face financial challenges brought on by the pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty," said Scott Wyman, president of Pennsylvania Operations for FirstEnergy. "With winter in full swing, I encourage customers who have fallen behind on their bills to contact us as soon as possible so that a member of our team can review their options with them."

Programs customers may be eligible to participate in include:

• The Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP): Helps residential customers maintain electric service through debt forgiveness and percentage of income payment plans. This program is administered through the Dollar Energy Fund. To apply, call 1-800-282-6816 or visit https://www.dollarenergy.org/myapp/.
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program is administered by PA Department of Human Services and can provide payment directly to the utility company to help with heating bills or to help maintain or restore service. The program opened November 1, 2022. To apply, call 1-866-857-7095 or visit www.compass.state.pa.us.
• The Dollar Energy Fund (DEF): This is an emergency hardship fund designed to help customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship. It can provide payment directly to the utility company to help maintain or restore service. The fund began accepting applications on October 1, 2022. To apply, visit www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/application-process or call 1-800-683-7036.
• 2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the 2-1-1 website.
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): This program provides assistance to households that have experienced financial hardship and may be at risk for homelessness due to or during the pandemic. ERAP provides tenant households assistance with rental and utility costs to include arrearages and other related housing expenses. Visit www.compass.state.pa.us for more information.
• Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF): This program provides financial assistance to Pennsylvania homeowners who are facing financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It provides financial assistance to homeowners for qualified mortgage and housing-related expenses to address delinquency and avoid default, foreclosure or displacement. Visit www.phfa.org for more information.

For a complete list of assistance programs for which customers may be eligible, including installment payment plans and budget billing, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call customer service:

Met-Ed                        1-800-545-7741
Penelec                       1-800-545-7741
Penn Power                 1-800-720-3600
West Penn Power        1-800-686-0021

Met-Ed serves about 580,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.

Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn_Power, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower, and online at www.pennpower.com.

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers in 24 counties in central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, 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.

FAQ

What assistance programs are available for FirstEnergy customers struggling with bills?

FirstEnergy offers programs such as the Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help customers manage their utility bills.

How can FirstEnergy customers apply for bill assistance programs?

Customers can contact their respective utility companies or visit the Dollar Energy Fund website to apply for assistance programs.

What is the impact of the pandemic on FirstEnergy customers' bills?

Many customers are facing financial challenges due to the pandemic, leading to increased arrears and the need for payment assistance.

How does FirstEnergy support customers with payment plans?

FirstEnergy encourages customers to enroll in payment plans and provides referrals to various assistance programs for those facing financial difficulty.

What is the significance of the January 17, 2023 press release from FirstEnergy?

The press release highlights FirstEnergy's commitment to customer support during financial hardships and outlines available assistance programs.