FirstEnergy COVID 19 Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program Update

First Energy Logo

Ferguson Township would like to provide some information regarding West Penn Power customers who may find themselves unable to pay their electric bills:

Their first step is to contact the West Penn Power credit and collection department at 1-800-736-3404 (number shows on top of the invoice).  If eligible, they will be guided to contact Dollar Energy, who administers financial aid programs for FirstEnergy.  Attached is a one-page summary showing the various PA financial assistance programs and the income guidelines for 2020 on the bottom. This document outlines all programs and includes contact phone numbers for each program and agency.  

Additionally, on April 2, 2020 FirstEnergy put into place new processes for Dollar Energy to evaluate residential applications eligible to receive financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP), where household income has been impacted by COVID 19.  See the chart below for these recent updates:       
First Energy Chart
At this time, West Penn Power is not pursuing termination of any services, however, "10-day notices" are being mailed out to all customers.  These notices are important because customers may need proof of delinquency to qualify for some assistance programs.  This notice serves as their proof document.   

Please keep in mind theses financial programs are only regarding residential customers.  All non-residential customers (commercial/business) should also contact West Penn Power's credit and collection department to review options available to them.   

Residential customers also can request getting set-up on an Equal Payment Plan (EPP). With EPP, customers can make consistent monthly payments to avoid seasonal highs and lows in their electric bills.

For customers with medical conditions, FirstEnergy offers a Medical Certification program. Disconnection of electric service resulting from overdue bills can be delayed up to 30 days if it is determined that the loss of electric service would be especially dangerous to the health of a permanent member of a customer’s household. An appropriate health care professional must complete a Medical Certification Form describing the resident’s medical condition. The Medical Certification process also can be used to restore electric service after a customer has been disconnected.  

FirstEnergy also offers a program called Third Party Notification where a relative, friend, clergy, or social service agency can be notified along with the customer if electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay the overdue bills but can help make payment arrangements for the customer who might have difficulty paying their bill.