Pepco employees met with representatives and advocates on Capitol Hill Wednesday to support funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps vulnerable customers in the District and Maryland.
LIHEAP, a federally funded program, assists limited-income households with home energy bills. Customers should apply soon as the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is depleted.
Grants range up to $1,800 in the District and $750 in Maryland, with no repayment required. Eligibility depends on household income, fuel type and dwelling type.
Homeowners, renters, roomers and subsidized housing tenants may qualify. Customers don’t need to have overdue bills to receive assistance.
Maryland customers can apply through the Department of Human Services website or by calling the Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347. District residents can apply online through the Department of Energy and Environment website or by calling 311.
DOEE’s Utility Affordability Programs website offers guidance on assistance programs for residents facing financial challenges. District residents who received LIHEAP assistance previously must recertify their need this year, as enrollment doesn’t automatically continue.
“With prices continuing to rise for everyday services, programs like LIHEAP have become more crucial for our customers,” said David Vosvick, vice president of customer operations at Pepco Holdings. “These programs, combined with our ongoing bill assistance initiatives, provide resources and create more financial stability for customers facing rising costs.”
LIHEAP provides eligible households with a one-time grant for energy bills. In 2024, Pepco helped more than 42,000 customers secure over $39.9 million in energy assistance, including more than $13.2 million in LIHEAP funding.
Customers who don’t meet LIHEAP requirements but struggle to pay energy bills can contact Pepco Customer Care at 202-833-7500 or through the online portal to access enhanced assistance programs, including:
- No late payment fees through March
- Longer repayment periods
- Suspension of physical disconnections for nonpayment through March
- Waiver of deposits for disconnected customers seeking service restoration
Pepco customers can explore resources at pepco.com/BillSupport to help reduce energy usage and lower monthly bills, such as energy efficiency programs, financial assistance options, and billing and payment flexibility tools.
LIHEAP Action Day, hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, connects advocates nationwide with policymakers on Capitol Hill to emphasize the importance of LIHEAP.
For more information about LIHEAP Action Day, go to NEAUC.org.