FirstEnergy Ohio Customers Can Get Assistance with Electric Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) urges Ohio customers of Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison to explore bill assistance programs available now through March and into the winter season.

Programs include PIPP Plus, HEAP and Emergency HEAP grants, locally run aid (OPAE, Project Reach, CO-OP, Neighbors Helping Neighbors), a 24/7 2-1-1 helpline, and a special reconnect option available until April 15.

Key Figures

Special reconnect payment: $175 2-1-1 availability: 24 hours, 365 days Ohio Edison customers: More than 1 million +5 more

8 metrics

Special reconnect payment $175 Per heating season to restore or maintain service

2-1-1 availability 24 hours, 365 days 2-1-1 Helpline operating schedule

Ohio Edison customers More than 1 million Ohio Edison customer base across 34 Ohio counties

Ohio Edison counties 34 counties Ohio Edison Ohio service territory

Illuminating Company customers More than 750,000 Customer count in specific Ohio counties

Toledo Edison customers Nearly 315,000 Northwest Ohio customer base

FirstEnergy customers 6 million Total customers served across six U.S. states

Transmission lines Approximately 24,000 miles FirstEnergy transmission subsidiaries’ network length

Market Reality Check

Price: $48.78 Vol: Volume 2,820,136 is about...

low vol

$48.78 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,820,136 is about 64% of the 4,440,799 share 20-day average, indicating subdued activity. low

Technical Price at $48.79 is trading above the $45.06 200-day MA and about 6.21% below the 52-week high of $52.02.

Peers on Argus

FE gained about 0.47% while key peers were mixed: ES up 0.19%, but AEE, EIX, PPL...

FE gained about 0.47% while key peers were mixed: ES up 0.19%, but AEE, EIX, PPL and WEC down between roughly 0.2% and 1.35%, suggesting a company-specific drift rather than a broad utilities move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 20	Customer assistance outreach	Positive	-2.3%	JCP&L highlighted multiple energy bill assistance programs and an in-person event.
Mar 17	Storm restoration update	Positive	-1.1%	Reported restoring power to over 97% of 1.1M customers after windstorms.
Mar 16	Storm response progress	Positive	+1.4%	Detailed restoration progress, infrastructure repairs and readiness for additional severe weather.
Mar 12	Severe weather prep	Positive	+0.7%	Warned of high winds, activated incident command and mobilized restoration resources.
Mar 2	Transmission projects award	Positive	-0.3%	PJM selected FirstEnergy Transmission for major reliability projects with large capex plans.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and customer-focused updates have produced modest, often mixed price reactions, without a consistent positive or negative pattern.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, FirstEnergy has reported several service and reliability developments. On Mar 2, its transmission unit was selected by PJM for projects involving about $950 million of investment, with a price reaction of -0.35%. Multiple storm‑related preparation and restoration updates between Mar 12–17 showed significant operational activity and generally small price moves between about -1.06% and +1.41%. A Mar 20 customer assistance communication coincided with a -2.31% move. Today’s Ohio bill-assistance news fits this ongoing emphasis on reliability and customer support communications.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights FirstEnergy’s emphasis on bill-assistance options and disconnection pro...

Analysis

This announcement highlights FirstEnergy’s emphasis on bill-assistance options and disconnection protections, including a $175 Special Reconnect Option and multiple income-based programs. It follows other recent communications on customer support and reliability, such as storm preparation and restoration updates. Investors monitoring this theme may focus on enrollment levels in these programs, any regulatory developments affecting cost recovery, and how continued customer-assistance efforts interact with broader system investments and service quality metrics.

Key Terms

percentage of income payment plan plus (pipp plus)

1 terms

percentage of income payment plan plus (pipp plus) financial

"Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus): Allows customers to pay a percentage..."

A Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) is a government-run utility assistance program that lets eligible low-income customers pay a fixed share of their household income toward energy bills instead of standard meter-based charges, often including help with past-due balances or bill credits. Investors watch it because it affects utilities’ cash flow, bad-debt levels and regulatory risk—similar to a landlord agreeing to reduced, income-based rent that stabilizes payments but can change how much revenue the owner actually collects.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Assistance programs can help customers keep energy costs manageable

AKRON, Ohio, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- When temperatures drop, home heating systems have to work harder – especially during long stretches of frigid weather. That extra energy use can cause electric bills to climb. To help manage seasonal costs, Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison – FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric companies – are encouraging customers to explore the bill assistance programs and options available to them. 

Torrence L. Hinton, President, FirstEnergy Ohio: "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."

The following assistance programs are available to eligible customers:

• Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus): Allows customers to pay a percentage of their household income toward their monthly electric bill and may help eliminate a past-due balance.  
   
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Provides cash grants to help customers pay winter heating bills. Emergency HEAP helps customers avoid service disconnection.

• Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE): Provides financial assistance to income-eligible customers to help pay their electric bills. OPAE's program opens in March and remains open until funds are exhausted.
   
• Project Reach: For Ohio Edison residential customers facing a recent financial hardship and who need assistance maintaining or restoring service.
   
• Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP): For residential customers of The Illuminating Company who need temporary support maintaining or restoring service.
   
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors: For Toledo Edison residential customers who are experiencing financial challenges and need help maintaining or restoring service.
   
• 2-1-1 Helpline: Information helpline that helps identify locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Special Reconnect Option for Customers Facing Disconnection

Residential customers who have had service disconnected or are at risk of disconnection can pay $175 once per heating season to restore or maintain service. If service has been disconnected, a reconnection fee may also be required. The program may also be used to establish electric service. There are no income requirements for the program, which is available until April 15. Contact your electric company for more information.

We're Here to Help

Whether you need temporary help or ongoing support, FirstEnergy's Ohio electric companies are here to help you stay safe and comfortable at home. Visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to learn more about assistance and payment programs.

Ohio Edison serves more than 1 million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on X @OhioEdison and on Facebook at facebook.com/OhioEdison.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on X @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on X @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on X: @FirstEnergyCorp.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstenergy-ohio-customers-can-get-assistance-with-electric-bills-302723516.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How can Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company or Toledo Edison customers apply for bill assistance with FE on March 24, 2026?

Apply by contacting your electric company or visiting FirstEnergy's bill assistance page for program details. According to FirstEnergy, customers should visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call their utility to learn eligibility, required documents, and application steps.

What is the PIPP Plus program and who qualifies for it under FE Ohio utilities?

PIPP Plus lets eligible customers pay a set percentage of household income toward monthly electric bills. According to FirstEnergy, PIPP Plus may also help eliminate past-due balances and is available to income-qualified residential customers.

What is the special reconnect option deadline and cost for FE Ohio customers facing disconnection?

Customers can pay a one-time $175 once per heating season to restore or maintain service; availability ends April 15. According to FirstEnergy, reconnection fees may also apply and the program has no income requirements.

How does the 2-1-1 helpline assist Ohio customers of FE utilities with utility bills?

The 2-1-1 helpline connects callers to local programs and resources 24/7, 365 days a year. According to FirstEnergy, 2-1-1 helps identify financial assistance options for utility bills and other urgent needs in customers' communities.

When does OPAE assistance open for eligible customers served by FE Ohio utilities in 2026?

OPAE's financial assistance program opens in March and remains available until funds are exhausted. According to FirstEnergy, income-eligible customers should apply promptly because funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

What options do Ohio Edison, Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison customers have if they face recent financial hardship?

Customers may qualify for Project Reach, CO-OP, or Neighbors Helping Neighbors for temporary support to maintain or restore service. According to FirstEnergy, each program targets residential customers facing recent hardship and has its own eligibility rules.