CARE-ing and Sharing the Benefits of the Future Energy Jobs Act
August 30, 2017
Program Update
ComEd CARE funds have been exhausted as of Sept. 22, 2017, so ComEd is no longer accepting applications at this time. ComEd CARE programs will resume in 2018. Customers in need of assistance this year can apply for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits at their local administering agency.
ComEd CARE Programs
An illness or an unexpected job loss can wreak havoc on the average family’s finances. Paying for the basics, such as rent, food, gas and electricity can become challenging.
ComEd is aware that some of our customers experience financial difficulties so that’s why we created a variety of ComEd CARE programs that have helped tens of thousands of customers in need pay their electricity bills each year.
ComEd CARE, which includes a variety of financial assistance programs, is funded through ComEd shareholders. CARE began in 2011 under the Smart Grid law and ComEd committed $10 million annually from 2011 to 2016, a total of $50 million, to help customers pay their electric bills.
The Future Energy Jobs Act, which went into effect in June 2017, extended ComEd CARE programs from 2017 through 2022, allocating $10 million per year for assistance to help customers in need pay their energy bills.
If you are a residential ComEd customer who is behind on paying your electric bill because you are experiencing a financial hardship due to job loss, illness, military deployment, disability, or if you are a senior citizen, you may be eligible for assistance through ComEd Care’s Residential Special Hardship program. ComEd also offers grants to non-profit organizations through its Nonprofit Special Hardship program and to military personnel through the ComEd Helps Activated/Veteran Military Personnel (CHAMP) program.
Residential customers can apply once every two years for grants of up to $500 based on need and availability of program funds. This grant is available to residential customers with household incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, such as $60,625 for a family of four, who demonstrate a financial hardship.
ComEd’s Residential Special Hardship program may also be available to ComEd customers who receive traditional state-administered Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. For more information, contact the Community Action Agency nearest to you or find a LIHEAP location.
For more information on ComEd’s financial assistance programs, including eligibility requirements, please visit ComEd.com/CARE or call 1-888-806-CARE (2273).
