FirstEnergy Corp.’s Ohio electric companies announced on Mar. 24 that customers can access a range of assistance programs to help manage higher electric bills during the winter months.
The announcement is significant as many households face increased heating costs during periods of cold weather, which can lead to financial strain. The support aims to ensure customers remain safe and comfortable in their homes even as energy usage rises.
Torrence L. Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio, said, “Winter energy bills can be challenging for a lot of Ohio families, and we want our customers to know they don’t have to navigate it alone. Meaningful help is available, and our team is ready to connect you with programs and resources that can make a real difference and provide peace of mind.”
Several assistance options are available for eligible customers. These include the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus), which allows payment based on household income; the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offering cash grants; and support from Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE), Project Reach, Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP), Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and the 2-1-1 Helpline for information about local resources. Additionally, residential customers facing disconnection may pay $175 per heating season under a special reconnect option valid until April 15.
FirstEnergy serves more than six million customers across several states including Ohio through its subsidiaries such as Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison according to the official website. The company manages about 24,000 miles of transmission lines along with over 269,000 miles of distribution lines as detailed on its official website.
The company emphasizes corporate responsibility through environmental initiatives and community engagement according to its official website. FirstEnergy has also been recognized as a compliance leader with awards for environmental efforts and military-friendly practices according to the same source.
FirstEnergy aims to operate as a progressive utility focused on integrity and reliability while working toward better customer experiences and stronger communities through a diverse workforce according to its official website. Its service area includes states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, New York in addition to Ohio as reported by its official site.
Hinton said FirstEnergy’s teams are ready to assist: “Meaningful help is available…our team is ready to connect you with programs and resources that can make a real difference.”
