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Peco and PGW promise not to turn off power for low-income households amid government shutdown

Customers can enroll in the energy providers’ assistance programs to prevent any shutoffs.

Sophie Alfonsi-Connaire turns down her turns her thermostat at her home in Havertown, Pa. Monday, Jan. 30. 2023. Residents say they are feeling the increased price of all heating methods due to inflation, the war in Ukraine, and other global factors.
Sophie Alfonsi-Connaire turns down her turns her thermostat at her home in Havertown, Pa. Monday, Jan. 30. 2023. Residents say they are feeling the increased price of all heating methods due to inflation, the war in Ukraine, and other global factors.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
    by Henry Savage
    Updated 
    Published 

Philadelphia Gas Works and Peco are onboarding customers into their energy assistance programs and say they will not disconnect services to those households while the government shutdown freezes the LIHEAP program.

State Rep. Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) announced the PGW and Peco assistance partnership Thursday, urging residents to reach out to their local energy providers.

Funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, a federal program that helps low-income households heat their homes, is not being distributed and annual applications are being delayed until at least Dec. 3, as the government shutdown continues to halt many federal services, including SNAP benefits. If the shutdown continues, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services would have to reassess the opening date for applications.

The program was originally scheduled to open Nov. 3. In the last two years, it has delivered more than $200 million of assistance to Pennsylvania households in need during the cold winter months, especially older adults and low-income families.

Beginning Saturday, PGW and Peco will assist eligible customers in enrolling in their established assistance programs: PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program and Peco’s Customer Assistance Program. They will also suspend service disconnections for residential customers who are enrolled in these programs.

The suspension of service disconnections will also be available to customers who directed their LIHEAP grant to PGW earlier this year, or to Peco within the last two years. Peco also does not disconnect service for verified residential customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty line from Dec. 1 through March 31.

» READ MORE: How to reduce your heating bill in Philadelphia

Around 300,000 Pennsylvanians use LIHEAP to offset energy costs in the winter, according to the human services department.

“The federal government shutdown is putting thousands of Pennsylvania families at risk of extreme hunger and the inability to keep their homes warm and running,” Harris said. “I appreciate both PGW and Peco, and their leadership, for stepping up in this moment and taking meaningful action to keep vulnerable households connected to essential services.”

How to get help from PGW and Peco during the shutdown

During the government shutdown and the delay of LIHEAP, PGW and Peco customers can apply for help through their energy provider.

PGW

  1. Customers can enroll in the Customer Responsibility Program by calling 215-235-1000 or visiting pgworks.com/customer-care/crp.

Peco

  1. Customers can enroll in the Customer Assistance Program by visiting peco.com/my-account/customer-support/assistance-programs/cap-rate.

  2. Another option is the Customer Relief Fund. Apply at peco.com/my-account/customer-support/assistance-programs/customer-relief-fund.

Need help with enrolling in utility assistance programs or connecting with an energy provider? Harris advised residents to contact their local representative. Find yours using the “Find My Legislator” tool at www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator.