PECO’s Universal Service Programs

Where To Call?
You may directly ask about and apply for PECO’s Low Income Programs by calling 1-800-774-7040.

What Are The Names Of PECO’s Programs?

• CAP (Customer Assistance Program)
• LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program)
• CARES (Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services)
• MEAF (Matching Energy Assistance Fund) – Hardship Fund

How Can These Programs Benefit Me?

• CAP lowers your monthly bill based on the amount of your household income.
• LIURP helps reduce household electric and gas use resulting in lower bills.
• CARES connects you to local social service agencies that can help you.
• MEAF provides grants to stop shut-off or to reconnect service.

The CAP Program

What are the actual benefits I can get in CAP?

Reduced monthly payments:

• As a CAP customer, you will receive a sizeable discount on your ongoing electric or gas usage. There are five discounted rates available to electric customers. There are four rates available to gas customers. As a CAP customer, you will receive a discount on a portion of the energy you use, depending on your income level. This should lead to significant savings on your bill.

Freezing past debt:

• If you were not enrolled in the CAP program in the past, then when you enroll, your past debt will be frozen. This means that as long as you make your CAP payments on time and in full, PECO will not make collections on that past due amount and no fees will be applied against the debt.
• If you are removed from the CAP program for failing to pay your CAP bill in full and on time, then PECO may begin collection on this amount.

Forgiving past debt:

• If you pay your CAP bill on time and in full for six consecutive months, your entire outstanding debt will be forgiven.

How do I know if I am eligible for CAP?

• You are eligible for CAP if you have household income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines) and you are payment troubled.
• You must also agree to apply for LIHEAP and receive LIURP services from PECO.

What are my responsibilities to get into and stay in CAP?

• You must contact PECO to apply for CAP by calling 1-800-774-7040.
• You must fill out an application and verify your income.
• You must pay your CAP bill on time and in full each month.

Can I be removed from CAP?

• If you do not pay your CAP bill in full and on time each month, you will be billed a late charge and your service may be terminated.
• If your household income increases above the eligibility guidelines, or you do not provide the requested annual income information, or you do not comply with program guidelines, then you may be removed from the program.

Can I get back into CAP if I am removed from the program?

• Yes. To get back into CAP, you must pay all of the CAP bills you missed.

The LIURP Program

What is LIURP?

• LIURP helps households with high electric and gas use levels conserve energy and reduce monthly energy bills.

How can I qualify for LIURP?

• You qualify if you are a high energy user and you have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines OR your household income is between 150% and 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines and you have a past due balance. (Click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines.)
• PECO also requires that you use a certain amount of energy before you can qualify for the program. If you have electric heat, you must use at least 1,400 kWh monthly. If you have gas heat, you must use at least 100 ccf’s monthly. Electric baseload usage for non-CAP customers must be greater than or equal to 600 kWh monthly (500 kWh monthly for CAP customers).
• You can call 1-800-675-0222 to see if you are eligible. You can apply for LIURP services year-round.

What are the actual benefits of LIURP?

• By participating in LIURP, you may reduce the amount of energy you use each month. This will most likely result in lower monthly bills.
• By participating in LIURP, you will receive a free home energy usage review, education to help you learn how to reduce your energy use, and the installation of weatherization measures (e.g., the replacement of old appliances with new energy efficient ones).

What are my responsibilities as a LIURP participant?

• To receive services, you must agree to submit verification of your household income as part of the application process.
• If you are a tenant, landlord permission will be required to receive LIURP services.
• As a participant, you must agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) to inspect your residence and perform an energy audit.
• You must also agree to allow a utility employee (or subcontractor) to inspect your residence one year after the conservation measures are installed. This allows the utility to determine if the conservation measures have been cost effective and helped you to reduce your energy consumption. Back to Top of Page The CARES Program The CARES program connects customers unable to pay their bills due to a temporary hardship with resources located in their own community. These community resources then help the customer manage his/her problems. How do I qualify for CARES?
  • PECO may refer you to this program if you have an income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines), and/or you are a senior citizen, and/or you have any government-based income, and you are payment troubled and have special circumstances.
  • Examples of a temporary hardship include divorce, family emergency, unemployment, and medical emergencies.

  What are the benefits to me of participating in CARES?

  • Participants in CARES can receive free referrals to assistance agencies in the local community, such as a nonprofit organization or social service agency.
  • Participants in CARES can receive referrals to other PECO Universal Services programs.
  • Participants in CARES may receive special payment arrangements depending on their payment history and on their specific situation.

  The MEAF Program

  The MEAF program is a hardship fund providing customers with cash assistance to help pay down their outstanding balances. It operates when LIHEAP is closed. Grants are administered by MEAF agencies throughout the state, including UESF (Utility Emergency Services Fund) in Philadelphia, and the Suburban Fuel Funds in Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, York, and Bucks counties.

  What are the benefits of applying for a MEAF grant?

  • If you qualify, you may receive up to $500 per commodity (gas or electric) toward the payment of your past due utility debt.
  • Hardship fund grants may be used to make up missed CAP payments. When can I request a grant from MEAF?
    • UESF applicants may apply any time if LIHEAP ineligible. If verified income is 135% – 175% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines), applications may be made when LIHEAP is open.
    • Suburban Fuel Funds applicants must have applied for LIHEAP, when applicable. If verified income is 135% – 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines, applications may be made when LIHEAP is open.

    How do I qualify for a MEAF grant?

    You must meet the following requirements to qualify for a MEAF UESF grant:

    • Your household income must be at or below 175% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
    • You must be a resident of Philadelphia.
    • Your utility service must be shut off or in shut-off status.
    • The utility bill must be in your or your spouse’s name.
    • If you are employed, you must be the head of a household supporting one minor or senior dependent.
    • You must not have received a UESF grant within the past two years.
    • You must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs when available.
    • The grant must reduce your utility bill to zero, whether used alone or with other resources.

    You must meet the following requirements to qualify for a MEAF Suburban Fuel Funds grant:

    • Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines (click here to view a table with the Federal poverty income guidelines).
    • You must be a resident of the county in which you are applying for a grant.
    • Your utility service must be shut off or in shut-off status.
    • The electric or gas bill must be in the customer’s name.
    • You must have applied for LIHEAP Cash and Crisis assistance programs when available.
    • You must have signed up for weatherization services provided by your county.
    • The grant must reduce your utility bill to zero, whether used alone or with other resources.
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