During a press conference on July 30 in Norristown, PECO launched a new program to support customers affected by rising energy costs in the Philadelphia region. With the goal of helping families facing increased bills during peak consumption months, PECO introduced the Customer Relief Fund, a $10 million initiative developed in collaboration with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
The fund, backed by a one-time charitable donation from Exelon, PECO’s parent company, will provide financial assistance to eligible customers impacted by intensive energy use due to extreme weather conditions.
“We want to help our customers, especially our Latino community. Temperatures are high, so we feel it is our responsibility to act. Our priority is for our community to be well and feel supported,” said José Aguirre, Manager of Government and External Affairs for PECO.
Aguirre added, “It’s about helping our community lower their electricity bills, depending on their account with us. The reason is to support customers who do not qualify for traditional programs but still need assistance. This fund is aimed at individuals with incomes between 150% and 300% of the federal poverty level.”
Who qualifies?
The program is designed for low- and moderate-income customers. For example, a family of four can qualify even if their annual income is up to $96,450. To access this assistance, individuals must keep their incomes within the levels established by federal poverty guidelines.
The fund is primarily intended for those who do not qualify for other programs such as LIHEAP or the Customer Assistance Program (CAP), but still face financial difficulties paying their energy bills.
How to apply?
Starting August 4, 2025, customers will be able to apply quickly and securely through PECO’s official website, or through United Way and other partnered community organizations.
Assistance will be granted as one-time grants applied directly to the customer’s energy bill.
For more information about eligibility requirements and the application process, interested parties can visit peco.com/relief
