Potomac Edison WV

Dollar Energy Fund (DEF)

An emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. The distribution of funds is administered by community-based organizations throughout the Potomac Edison’s service territory. Program funding is provided by Potomac Edison customers and FirstEnergy shareholders.
 

Program Availability: Opens October 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted

To Apply: 

• Contact Dollar Energy at 800-683-7036
• Dollar Energy Application Process*
• Dollar Energy Agency Finder*

• Dollar Energy Contribution Form*

Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)

Administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to help eligible customers avoid termination of service. Customers must present a disconnect notice at the county DHHR office. Emergency Assistance is a one-time payment that is applied to the customer's account.
 

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact WV Department of Health & Human Resources at 304-558-0684
• Department of Health and Human Resources Agency Finder*

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Income Maintenance; the program provides assistance to low-income customer whose primary heating source is electric or gas. The program includes LIEAP and Emergency-LIEAP (E-LIEAP) payments. The DHHR accepts applications and awards E-LIEAP to customer who have received a termination notice after applying and qualifying for LIEAP.
 

LIEAP has two components:

1. LIEAP - Annual grant to help with heating costs.
2. E-LIEAP Emergency Program - Provides an emergency payment (once per heating season) for qualified low-income customers. The payment must be used to avoid a shutoff or restore electric service.

Program Availability: Typically opens in February and remains open until funds are exhausted
To Apply:

• Contact WV Department of Health & Human Resources at 304-356-4619 or 800-642-8589
• West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR) Website*
• DHHR Agency Finder*

20% Energy Credit Program

Administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Family Support, reduces low-income customers’ utility bill by 20%. Eligible customers can receive an application from the DHHR and send the completed applications to:

To Apply: 

• Contact WV Department of Health & Human Resources at 304-558-0684
• Mail To:
  Potomac Edison
  20% Discount Program
  5001 NASA Blvd
  Fairmont, WV 26554

211 Helpline

This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.

To Apply:

• Call 211 
• Text your ZIP Code to 898211
• 211 Website* 

Extended Due Date

If you are at least 60 years old or receive a Social Security or pension check, or if you receive disability assistance, we can extend your payment due date.

Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011

Payment Arrangements

If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange affordable installments to be paid with your monthly bill.  Payment arrangements help maintain your electric service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation.
 

To Apply: 

• Log in to your account or register online to see if you are eligible for an installment plan or
• Contact Potomac Edison via Email or call 800-686-0011

Third-Party Notification

Select a third party (a friend, relative, clergy, or social service agency) to be notified, along with yourself, if your electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay overdue bills but can remind you of pending disconnection and help you make payment arrangements.

Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011

Military Deferred Payment Program

This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all or part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine payment arrangements for the balance owed.   

Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011

Critical Care Program

The Critical Customer Care Program identifies customers who use certain electrically operated life sustaining medical equipment in their home. The program helps customers - for whom a service interruption could be immediately life threatening or would make operation of necessary medical or life supporting equipment impossible or impractical - prepare for planned and unplanned power outages. Please call us if someone in your home uses this type of medical equipment.

Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011

Medical Certification

Customers with severe health problems may have a medical professional certify in writing that a termination of electric service would be especially dangerous.  Under the WV PSC rules, this certification will not delay or prohibit disconnection of electric service.  However, a standard payment agreement for the past due debt on an electric account will delay termination and, if paid in installments as agreed, will prohibit termination.  The customer is still responsible for the past-due amount. 
 

Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011