Pepco
Pepco is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges at least until May 1 and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.
What should customers do if they are challenged to pay their bill? Customers who may be challenged in paying their Pepco bill should contact Pepco Customers Care at 202-833-7500.
Pepco will work with customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. The company offers payment options, like Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans.
Through Pepco's Gift of Energy program, anyone can make a payment toward a friend or family member's energy bill. The gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient's account.
Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts based on a household's income size, type of fuel, and type of dwelling, with no pay back required. District residents can apply for assistance online though the Department of Energy and the Environment website or by calling 3-1-1. Maryland customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, by visiting a Local Energy Assistance Office, or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347.
Pepco customers with a disconnection notice or who currently have service disconnected can receive a grant up to $1,000 once a year through the Pepco Washington Area Fuel Fund Partnership administered by the Salvation Army. Customers in the District of Columbia (wards 1-6) call 202-332-5000 or (wards 7-8) call 202-678-9771. Prince George's County residents can call 301-277-6103 and Montgomery County residents can call 301-515-5354 for assistance.
What should customers do if they are challenged to pay their bill? Customers who may be challenged in paying their Pepco bill should contact Pepco Customers Care at 202-833-7500.
Pepco will work with customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. The company offers payment options, like Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans.
Through Pepco's Gift of Energy program, anyone can make a payment toward a friend or family member's energy bill. The gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient's account.
Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts based on a household's income size, type of fuel, and type of dwelling, with no pay back required. District residents can apply for assistance online though the Department of Energy and the Environment website or by calling 3-1-1. Maryland customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, by visiting a Local Energy Assistance Office, or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347.
Pepco customers with a disconnection notice or who currently have service disconnected can receive a grant up to $1,000 once a year through the Pepco Washington Area Fuel Fund Partnership administered by the Salvation Army. Customers in the District of Columbia (wards 1-6) call 202-332-5000 or (wards 7-8) call 202-678-9771. Prince George's County residents can call 301-277-6103 and Montgomery County residents can call 301-515-5354 for assistance.
Additional Assistance
- Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order that prohibits electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. Read the governor’s emergency order.
- The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) helps eligible customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill.
- The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 towards their past due bill.
- The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help low-income families during the heating season. Information regarding these programs can be found on the
- For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.
Tips for Paying Bills
Information about paying bills from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):
As you plan for the potential impact of the Coronavirus, there are a number of steps that you can take to help protect yourself or a loved one financially, both in the short and long term.
1. Contact lenders to let them know about your situation. Financial Institutions are being encouraged to work with customers to meet their needs. This includes credit card companies, mortgage lenders, student loans and auto payments
When contacting your lenders, be prepared to explain:
2. Work with housing and credit counselors to understand your options
3. Contact reputable credit counseling organizations. There are specific questions to ask to help you find a credit counseling organization to work with.
4. Contact debt collectors to identify a realistic repayment plan. The Bureau offers a number of resources for contacting and negotiating with debt collection companies.
5. You can look to your state’s unemployment policies to identify current options for benefits. Your state's public health office may also have information.
6. Be aware of potential scam attempts
As you plan for the potential impact of the Coronavirus, there are a number of steps that you can take to help protect yourself or a loved one financially, both in the short and long term.
1. Contact lenders to let them know about your situation. Financial Institutions are being encouraged to work with customers to meet their needs. This includes credit card companies, mortgage lenders, student loans and auto payments
When contacting your lenders, be prepared to explain:
- Your situation
- How much you can afford to pay
- When you’re likely to be able to restart regular payments
- Your income, expenses and assets
- Why you need a delayed or reduced payment program
2. Work with housing and credit counselors to understand your options
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counselors can discuss options with you if you’re having trouble paying your mortgage loan or reverse mortgage loan. This may also include forbearance or a modified payment program.
3. Contact reputable credit counseling organizations. There are specific questions to ask to help you find a credit counseling organization to work with.
4. Contact debt collectors to identify a realistic repayment plan. The Bureau offers a number of resources for contacting and negotiating with debt collection companies.
5. You can look to your state’s unemployment policies to identify current options for benefits. Your state's public health office may also have information.
6. Be aware of potential scam attempts
- Click here for more information from CFPB on paying your bills and managing finances during the pandemic.
- Click here to learn what you need to know about student loans during the pandemic.
- Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Paying Your Rent or Mortgage During the Coronavirus Pandemic - WAMU
- How to Negotiate Bills During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Negotiation Works