MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential
customers of Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), 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.
"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial
situation because of the pandemic," said James V. Fakult, president of JCP&L.
"Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible
for assistance that was unavailable to them before."
Programs customers may be eligible to participate in
include:
- The Universal Service Fund (USF) Program: Eligible
customers can receive a monthly bill credit and may also receive
utility debt forgiveness. To assist customers during the pandemic,
eligibility requirements were changed to increase the income limit
to 400% of the federal poverty level. Program benefits were
modified to provide greater benefits to participants. Even if you
participated before, you may receive forgiveness of your past due
balance. To apply call 2-1-1 or visit the DCAid screening tool.
- The Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP): This program can provide customers with cash
grants for home heating bills and emergencies, including past-due
balances or termination notices. Customers must have income at or
below 60% of the federal poverty guidelines, own or rent their home
and be responsible for heating bills. Apply today by
calling the LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-510-3102 or
visit the DCAid screening tool to see if you
meet the income limits for LIHEAP.
- The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE)
Program: This program helps low- to
moderate-income customers in New Jersey who are
struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. The NJ
PAGE program provides grants to those over the income limits for
LIHEAP as well as those who already applied for LIHEAP but require
additional assistance. To apply call 732-982-8710 or
visit the NJPowerOn website.
- 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.
- Customers who are having trouble paying rent due to the
pandemic can apply for emergency rental assistance at
https://njdca.onlinepha.com.
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 1-800-662-3115.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million New
Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.
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.