Programs tailored to help customers with temporary or extended hardship

CHICAGO (Jan. 9, 2019) – With news of an ongoing government shutdown, and the possible need for federal employees to make choices about how to pay their bills, ComEd reminds all customers of important energy assistance options available across northern Illinois to help them meet their energy needs.

Customers who struggle to cover their energy expenses have a growing range of assistance options from ComEd. The company offers financial assistance programs, flexible payment options, and programs to reduce energy use and costs, all of which can help eligible customers reduce budget strain and avoid disconnection of service.

To help keep service affordable and provide superior value for customers, ComEd recently sought – and received – Illinois Commerce Commission approval to lower delivery service charges by $24 million, which will lower customers' bills beginning this month.

"We are committed to providing affordable energy service for every customer," said Jane S. Park, senior vice president, Customer Operations. "Through our own programs, as well as programs offered by community and government partners, we can help customers make ends meet during tough times."

Payment Options

ComEd offers payment options, such as budget billing, which averages payments out over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, and flexible payment arrangements, including individually tailored payment installment plans. Customers who may be experiencing financial hardship should visit ComEd.com/CARE.

Financial Assistance Programs

• Under the Residential Special Hardship program, customers who face financial hardship such as job loss, illness, or military deployment, or senior or disability hardships, may be eligible for grants of up to $500 once every two years based on need.
• The CHAMP (ComEd Helps Activated/Veteran Military Personnel) program enables activated and deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserves and honorably discharged veterans to apply for grants of up to $1,000 once every two years, deferred payment plans, cancellation of late charges, and other benefits.
• Under the Nonprofit Special Hardship program, nonprofit organizations that struggle to pay their electric bills may be eligible for grants of up to $2,000 once every two years, to help them cover their expenses and continue to fulfill their missions and serve the community.
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) enables low-income households to apply for assistance paying for winter energy services. Administered by community agencies throughout ComEd's region, LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state of Illinois.
  
  Ways to Save Energy and Money
  
  The ComEd^® Energy Efficiency Program empowers homeowners, businesses and municipalities to save money and energy through rebates, discounts and assessments that help them use energy more wisely.
  
  ComEd also offers energy efficiency products through its Marketplace, an online store offering instant, point-of-purchase rebates on competitively priced energy management products. Products include smart thermostats, LEDs, advanced power strips, and water-saving products.
  
  Also, eligible homeowners, multifamily property owners and managers, public housing authorities, and affordable housing developers can take advantage of ComEd offerings specifically designed to help customers who are income eligible improve home and building energy efficiency – and save money.
  
  These programs and more are made available through the 2017 enactment of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), which established $50 million in shareholder-funded ComEd programs over five years to support veterans and active or disabled military personnel, seniors and families, local nonprofits, and eligible customers who face financial hardship.
  
  Under FEJA, ComEd also will invest $42 million per year from 2018 to 2021 on programs to help income eligible customers reduce energy use and save money. FEJA redefined the eligibility requirements for these programs, dramatically expanding the number of people who can take advantage of them.

"We make every effort to empower customers who face circumstances that make it hard to cover their energy expenses," added Park. "We are here for our customers and our nonprofit community partners, and we will consider additional support as necessary."

Learn about customer assistance programs at ComEd.com/CARE or by calling 800-334-7661.

Learn about energy efficiency offerings at ComEd.com/WaysToSave.