With Philadelphia in the midst of a heat emergency, it’s easy to boost AC power to avoid temperatures over 100 degrees. However, this can increase your electricity bill. Add to that the fact that the PECO price per kilowatt rose on July 1, 2022 and is expected to rise again on September 1, and your monthly bill can get expensive.
If you live in Philadelphia or one of the five counties where PECO provides power (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and York), here’s what you can do to help pay your electric bill:
If you are under federal poverty line, CAP can help you lower your payment on a monthly basis by giving you a credit on your PECO bill. What makes this program different is that it takes the weather into account. Thus, you will receive more credits in the summer or during times when you need more energy.
The amount they give is assessed on a case-by-case basis. But three variables make up the amount: your total household income, how much energy you’ve used in the last 12 months, and how much of your income goes to paying for electricity. To qualify, you must be registered with PECO for electricity and natural gas supply.
Deadline: You can apply at any time. If you need help applying, call 1-800-774-7040.
To apply: Apply online at peco.comor download the form (in English and Spanish) and submitted by e-mail, or by mail.
If you are a tenant, owner or renter of subsidized housing – below 150% of the poverty line – and need help paying for heating, you can apply for LIHEAP. In 2021, approximately 73,000 CEEC customers qualified.
You can benefit from up to $1,500 per year, part paid directly into your PECO account and part set aside for an emergency fund that can be used to cover overdue payments, pay for fuel, or repair leaky pipes or a broken oven.
Deadline: 2022 applications are currently closed. The deadline for 2023 has not been set, but it is usually in May or June. .
To apply: Apply online at compass.state.pa.usor download the form (in English and Spanish) and bring it to your County local support office. You can also call 1-800-344-3574 and they will mail you a request.
If you are behind on your bill and owe less than $3,000, payment arrangements are an option. Through this program, PECO determines a payment plan based on your household income (make sure the information PECO has on your income is up to date before you apply). You may qualify for a regular arrangement plan – with up to 24 months to pay – or an extended arrangement, up to 60 months.
Deadline: Apply anytime. As long as your service is active, you do not have an active bankruptcy case, and you are not part of a COVID-19 payment arrangement, you may qualify.
To apply: Apply online at peco.comor by calling 1-888-480-1533.
If you live in Philadelphia and have been notified that your service is about to be closed or has already been closed, UESF can help. As long as you are 175% below the federal poverty level (for example, you are a family of four with a monthly income of up to $4,047 or a single person earning less than $1,982 per month), you can benefit from a maximum of $500 per year. You must first have applied for LIHEAP.
This program works in conjunction with PECO: for every dollar of financial assistance UESF gives you, PECO matches it. The goal is for the program to fully cover your overdue account, but if not, you are responsible for the difference.
People living outside of Philadelphia can still apply through different partners in their specific county.
Deadline: You can apply at any time of the year. Call 1-800-774-7040 to verify your eligibility.
To apply: Apply in Philadelphia by calling 215-972-5170 (UESF).
It’s not a solution for every monthly bill, but if you have a month where you can’t pay your bill when it’s due, it can save you some time. PECO will still charge you a late payment fee, but this program will prevent your bill from going to collection. You can only request an extension of the due date twice a year.
If approved, she may give you an additional 21 days to pay. But beware, since this only covers one month, your extended deadline could fall close to the due date of your next bill.
Deadline: You can make a request at any time, as long as your service has not been disconnected, has no current extension, is not enrolled in a payment agreement, AutoPay (automatic payment) or Summary Billing ( that consolidates multiple utility bills into one monthly bill). If you are unsure if you qualify, PECO has a tool to help you. Once the system verifies your eligibility, you are automatically registered.
To apply: Apply online at peco.com.
Under LIURP, PECO offers two free programs to help you find ways to save energy to lower your monthly costs:
Virtual energy balance: You will connect with a PECO energy advisor online and show them your home. They’ll tell you what changes you can make to reduce the amount of energy you use and assess the energy efficiency of your appliances. At the end of the evaluation, they will mail you a pack of free energy saving items.
Energy balance at home: It’s similar to the Virtual Assessment, but you can only get a home visit if you’re below 200% of the poverty line and using more than 600 kilowatt hours of non-electric heat or 1,400 kilowatt hours of electric heat.
Deadline: Apply anytime.
To apply: Apply by calling 1-800-675-0222