$308 Million Available For PECO Customers.

LIHEAP Applications Being Accepted November 3

PHILADELPHIA -- Beginning today, $308 million in federal grant money is available to help Pennsylvania low-income consumers manage their energy costs and stay warm this winter through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The state Department of Public Welfare, which administers the program, will begin to accept LIHEAP applications on Nov. 3, 2008. Customers should call PECO's LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-34-HELP-4 for more information.

"LIHEAP is an essential program, and the additional funding this year will be critical to our customers," said Patricia King, manager of Universal Services, which oversees programs for low-income customers. "In tough economic times, the most important thing a customer can do is call us as soon as they realize they are having trouble meeting their energy costs. The sooner a customer reaches out to us, the more options we have available to assist them."

The record amount of funding, $142 million compared to last year, coupled with new income guidelines, will help customers pay their bills, reduce past due balances and avoid termination. The company is reaching out to customers through community forums and energy fairs, proactive calls to eligible households, direct mail and advertising to ensure eligible customers know help is available and take advantage of these programs.

In addition to increasing funding, eligibility requirements have been expanded to reach more households. The new eligibility requirements are based on the gross yearly income for individuals and families who are at or below 210 percent of the federal poverty level:

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Household Size





Maximum Household Income
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1





$ 23,110
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2





$ 30,221
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3





$ 37,332
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4





$ 44,443
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The state also has increased cash grants to a minimum of $300 and crisis grants to a maximum of $800. LIHEAP cash and crisis grants are one-time cash payments to assist with emergencies including heater repair, fixing broken pipes and the reconnection of service following termination.

PECO manages the largest and most comprehensive Universal Services program in the state, providing needed assistance to customers who do not have the ability to pay for their energy needs. Assistance programs for low-income customers, in addition to LIHEAP, include:

* The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A discounted rate for low-income customers.

* The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by voluntary contributions of citizens and matched dollar for dollar by PECO for up to $1,000 in total assistance for those who qualify.

* Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) provides conservation and weatherization assistance for qualified households year round.

* Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES) is a referral and information service designed to assist customers who have temporary personal or financial hardships that prevent the payment of their utility bill.

Help also is available for customers who don't qualify for low-income assistance through PECO's Budget Billing plan. Budget billing makes short-term fluctuations in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly.

The company also provides additional programs and tools for customers to manage their energy use including energy saving tips, energy calculators and discounts on energy efficient products. Visit www.peco.com/save or call 800-494-4000 for more information.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,500 people in the region. PECO delivered 78.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 39.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2007. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

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