Customers urged to secure available assistance to manage their energy costs

MAYS LANDING, NJ (August 18, 2022) – August is Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month and Atlantic City Electric 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, which includes Atlantic City Electric. "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 of up to $1,200, with no payback required, based on a household's income, type of fuel and type of dwelling. A customer's annual household income cannot exceed 60 percent of the state median 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. Atlantic City Electric works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP. South Jersey customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Community Affairs website, by contacting their local LIHEAP Agency or by calling 800-510-3102. Residents also can access the Department of Community Affairs self-screening tool to help determine what energy assistance benefits they may qualify for.

Atlantic City Electric 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, Atlantic City Electric helped more than 41,000 customers secure $33.1 million in energy assistance, funding that helps pay customer energy bills and money that customers do not need to pay back.

Atlantic City Electric 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 programs assisting Atlantic City Electric customers include:

• The Universal Service Fund (USF) helps ensure energy bills are more affordable for eligible customers. Eligibility requirements for USF recently changed providing customers who previously may not have been eligible to now participate. The Fresh Start arrearage forgiveness portion of the program also is now open to past participants. Call 1-800-510-3102 or visit energyassistance.nj.gov for information.
• New Jersey SHARES is a nonprofit corporation that provides assistance to income eligible customers. Visit njshares.org or call 1-866-657-4273.
• The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) program provides relief on natural gas and electric bills for limited- to moderate-income customers experiencing a temporary financial crisis. Customers can call 732-982-8710 or visit njpoweron.org.
• Lifeline is a utility assistance program that offers $225 to persons who meet certain income guidelines. Utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent can call 1-800-792-9745 for details.
• Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) provides New Jersey households with temporary rental and utility assistance to limited and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit https://njaa.com/covid19rentalassistanceprograms/ or call 609-490-4550.

Customers can contact Atlantic City Electric at 800-642-3780 to discuss payment arrangements or visit atlanticcityelectric.com/EnergyAssistance to learn more about energy assistance options.

In addition to payment arrangements and energy assistance support, Atlantic City Electric 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 atlanticcityelectric.com/WaysToSave.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric's online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on Twitter at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric's mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.