Potomac Edison MD
Assistance ProgramsSpecial Notice:
We are committed to maintaining service to customers through the coronavirus health emergency. FirstEnergy has temporarily suspended shutoffs for nonpayment and Customer Service Representatives are available to review payment options with you to help ease hardships. Customers may be, or may become, income-eligible for energy assistance programs during this health emergency. Many assistance agencies are restricting in-person applications at this time, but may have other ways to apply. Please check with your local agencies to confirm how they are handling applications during this crisis.
Do you need help paying your electric bill?
A variety of assistance programs are available to help you budget your monthly payments, pay winter heating bills, catch up on past-due payments, or avoid service disconnection. To see what programs are available in your area, click the button below to see the programs for which you may qualify based on your household income and size, to help you get through your financial hardship.
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Community Energy Fund (CEF)
Community Energy Fund (CEF)
A need based program that provides assistance to qualifying residential customers who need emergency help paying their electric bill. The company’s shareholders match donations from customers 50 cents on each dollar, up to the program limits. The distribution of funds is administered by local administering agencies in Potomac Edison’s service territory.
Program Availability: Open year-roundTo Apply:
- Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs – 301-631-2670
- Allegany Co. Department of Social Services – 301-784-7000
- Washington Co. Community Action Council – 301-797-4161
- Human Services Programs of Carroll County – 410-857-2999
- Garrett Co. Community Action Committee – 301-334-9431
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Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
A state funded program administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs. This program provides financial assistance with electric bills. Eligible customers receive help that pays a portion of their current electric bills. Customers who receive EUSP are placed on the Average Payment Plan, or budget billing, which helps level out bill payments and gives more control of the monthly household budget. Under the Average Payment Plan, the annual electric bill will be divided into 12 monthly payments that will round off those peaks and make it easier to pay. Potomac Edison may also establish a payment plan that allows paying the account balance over an extended period of time.
Program Availability: Applications are taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start-dates vary per program. -
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Arrearage Retirement Assistance
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Arrearage Retirement Assistance
EUSP helps customers with large, past due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 towards their past due bill. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be considered eligible. Customers may only receive an arrearage grant once every seven years, with certain exceptions.
Program Availability: Applications are taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start-dates vary per program. -
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
MEAP is a federally funded program, administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs. This grant helps low-income customers pay their heating bills.
Program Availability: Applications taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start dates vary per program
To Apply: Department of Human Resources Application Process*
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Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP)
Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP)
A federally sponsored program administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs. This program is designed to protect eligible low-income families from utility turn-offs during the heating season. All MEAP eligible customers may participate in USPP. USPP also requires participation in the Average Payment Plan.
Program Availability: Applications are taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start dates vary per program.
To Apply: Department of Human Resources Application Process*
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EmPOWER Low income Energy Efficiency Programs
EmPOWER Low income Energy Efficiency Programs
The EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), helps low-income households with installation of energy conservation materials in their homes. No payment is required for these services. These improvements may reduce a household’s energy use, lower monthly utility bills, make occupants more comfortable and may improve the air quality and overall health of the family.
To Apply:- Contact DHCD at 855-583-8976
- DHCD Energy Efficiency Site*
- EmPOWER Low Income Programs
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Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Services
Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Services
Customers are referred to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for programs that can provide improvements and repairs to homes at no cost. These improvements can help lower utility bills and make the home more comfortable.
To Apply:
- Contact DHCD at 855-583-8976
- DHCD Energy Efficiency Site*
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211 Helpline
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*
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Extended Due Date
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, and your electric bill is usually due just before your monthly benefit check comes, we can extend your payment due date until after your check arrives.
Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011 -
Payment Arrangements
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
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Third-Party Notification
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
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.
Customers who have switched to an alternative generation supplier may defer the charges paid to their supplier only if that supplier offers a deferred payment program. If a supplier does not offer a deferred payment program, the supplier charges must be paid each month.Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011
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Critical Care Program
Critical Customer 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
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Medical Certification
Medical Certification
Customers with severe health problems may have a licensed physician certify in writing that a termination of electric service would be especially dangerous. The medical certification will postpone the termination of electric service for 30 days. The certification is designed to provide the customer with additional time to pay their past-due balance. The customer is still responsible for the past-due amount and will be given the opportunity to pay the balance in monthly installments.
Contact: Potomac Edison - Email or call 800-686-0011
Additional Information
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