Programs can help alleviate growing
balances for customers having financial difficulty
FAIRMONT, W.Va., Jan. 17,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- West
Virginia residential customers of Mon Power and Potomac
Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), who are
having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their
utility now to enroll in payment plans or to receive referrals for
bill assistance programs.
"Many of our customers continue to face financial challenges due
to ongoing economic uncertainty," said James Myers, president of West Virginia
Operations for FirstEnergy. "With winter in full swing, I encourage
customers who have fallen behind on their bills to contact us as
soon as possible so that a member of our team can review their
options with them."
Programs customers may be eligible to participate in
include:
- The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): Helps
residential customers maintain electric service through cash grants
for home heating bills and emergencies, including past-due bills
and termination notices. To apply, obtain an application from your
local Department of Health & Human Resources (DHHR) office,
Community Action Agency or senior center, call 1-877-716-1212 or
visit www.wvpath.org. The program typically opens in February and
remains open until funds are exhausted.
- Emergency Assistance (EA) Program: The program is
administered by WV DHHR and helps customers avoid termination of
service for nonpayment by providing a payment directly to the
utility company. To apply, call 1-877-716-1212 or visit a local DHR
office. Locate a DHR office near you.
- The Dollar Energy Fund (DEF): Helps customers avoid
termination of service for nonpayment by providing a payment
directly to the utility company. To find an agency, visit
www.hardshiptools.org/AgencyFinder.aspx.
- 2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information
helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist
customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information
dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the 2-1-1
website.
- The WV Homeowners Rescue: This program provides
financial assistance to eligible homeowners for qualified mortgage
or housing-related expenses to avoid delinquency, default,
foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, and
displacement. Visit www.wvhdf.com or call 1-844-542-0035 to request
a paper application.
- The WV 20% Utility Discount Program: The Special Reduced
Residential Service Rate Program (20% Utility Discount Program)
provides a 20% discount on electric, gas and water for eligible
participants. To be eligible, participants must be either:
-
- Recipients of SNAP assistance or be at least 60 years of
age.
- Recipients of SSI and be 18 years old or older.
- Recipients of WV WORKS.
For more information, call 1-877-716-1212 or visit a local DHR
office. Locate a DHR office near you.
For a complete list of assistance programs for which customers
may be eligible, including installment payment plans and budget
billing, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call
customer service:
Mon Power
|
1-800-686-0022
|
Potomac
Edison
|
1-800-686-0011
|
Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at
www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
Potomac Edison serves about 151,000 customers in the Eastern
Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow
Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison,
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.