WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential
customers of Potomac Edison, a subsidiary 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. Establishing
an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help
keep balances manageable now that shut-offs for nonpayment have
resumed.
"We understand the pandemic has made things difficult for many
of our customers," said James Sears,
president of Maryland operations
for FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis
and who are behind on their utility bills may be eligible for
assistance that was unavailable to them before."
Programs customers may be eligible to participate in
include:
- The Electric Universal Service Program
(EUSP): Eligible customers can receive financial
assistance to help pay their electric bill and may also receive
arrearage forgiveness. To apply, visit
mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us or call the Maryland
Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347.
- The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP): This
program protects families with incomes less than 175% of federal
poverty guidelines from utility shut-offs during the heating
season. To apply, visit
mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us or call the Maryland
Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347.
- The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP): This
program provides assistance with home heating bills. Customers must
live at the address served and earn less than 175% of federal
poverty guidelines. To apply, visit
mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us or call the Maryland
Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347.
- 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.
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 at 800-686-0011.
Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in all or parts of
Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties in Maryland and 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.