FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Customers Can Get Help with Seasonal Energy Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) said Pennsylvania electric customers can apply for multiple bill-assistance programs to manage higher seasonal heating costs. Available options include PCAP (income‑based payments and possible past‑due balance elimination), LIHEAP (applications through April 10), LIURP/WARM audits and upgrades, and the Dollar Energy Fund.

The company provided links for donations and detailed program enrollment for Met‑Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power service areas.

News Market Reaction – FE

+0.80%

1 alert

+0.80% News Effect

On the day this news was published, FE gained 0.80%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Met-Ed customers: 592,000 customers Met-Ed territory size: 3,300 square miles Penelec customers: 597,000 customers +5 more

8 metrics

Met-Ed customers 592,000 customers Service territory in eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania

Met-Ed territory size 3,300 square miles Eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania service area

Penelec customers 597,000 customers Northern and central Pennsylvania and western New York

Penelec territory size 17,600 square miles Northern and central Pennsylvania and western New York

Penn Power customers 173,000 customers Counties in western Pennsylvania

West Penn Power customers 746,000 customers 24 counties in central and southwestern Pennsylvania

FirstEnergy total customers more than six million Across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, New York

Transmission line mileage approximately 24,000 miles FirstEnergy transmission subsidiaries’ network

Market Reality Check

Price: $50.02 Vol: Volume 2,820,136 is at 0....

low vol

$50.02 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,820,136 is at 0.64x the 20-day average of 4,440,799, indicating subdued trading ahead of the update. low

Technical Shares at 48.785 are trading above the 200-day MA of 45.06 and about 6.21% below the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

FE gained about 0.47% while key regulated electric peers were mixed: ES up modes...

FE gained about 0.47% while key regulated electric peers were mixed: ES up modestly, but AEE, EIX, PPL and WEC all slightly negative. With no peers in the momentum scanner and mixed moves, today’s action appears company-specific rather than a sector-wide utilities trade.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 20	Bill assistance outreach	Positive	-2.3%	JCP&L promoted multiple programs to help customers manage energy bills.
Mar 17	Storm restoration update	Positive	-1.1%	Reported restoration of power to over 97% of 1.1M impacted customers.
Mar 16	Crews readiness update	Positive	+1.4%	Detailed progress restoring power and readiness for additional severe weather.
Mar 12	Severe wind warning	Neutral	+0.7%	Warned customers of forecast high winds and outlined preparation steps.
Mar 02	Transmission projects award	Positive	-0.3%	PJM selected FirstEnergy Transmission for reliability projects in OH and PA.

Pattern Detected

Operational and customer-focused updates have often seen muted or negative next-day moves, even when operational tone was positive.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, FirstEnergy has focused on grid reliability, storm response and customer support. Transmission subsidiaries were awarded PJM projects with planned investment of about $950 million, followed by several detailed storm-preparation and restoration updates from March 12–17. On March 20, a JCP&L bill-assistance release preceded a -2.31% move. Today’s Pennsylvania-focused assistance programs continue this theme of customer affordability and reliability communications across key service territories.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights expanded assistance options for Pennsylvania customers facing higher se...

Analysis

This announcement highlights expanded assistance options for Pennsylvania customers facing higher seasonal energy bills, including LIHEAP, PCAP, WARM and the Dollar Energy Fund. It reinforces FirstEnergy’s role as a large regulated utility serving more than six million customers and its focus on affordability and reliability across multiple Pennsylvania service territories. Investors may monitor how such programs influence customer relationships, regulatory posture and future communications about rate structures and infrastructure investment needs.

Key Terms

low-income energy assistance program (liheap)

1 terms

low-income energy assistance program (liheap) regulatory

"Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides payment directly to the utility"

A low-income energy assistance program (LIHEAP) is a government-funded safety net that helps households with limited income pay heating and cooling bills, fix or replace broken heating systems, and get emergency energy help. For investors, LIHEAP matters because it affects utilities’ revenue stability, unpaid-bill risk, and demand for energy-related services — similar to how a subsidy or cushion can keep a customer base solvent during tough times.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

GREENSBURG, Pa., March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- During this winter's bitter cold, heating systems have had to work overtime to keep homes comfortable, which means higher energy use and higher electric bills for many households. With warmer weather on the way, now is the time for customers to explore options that can make monthly energy costs easier to manage. FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA) – a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) company known locally as Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed and West Penn Power – offers several bill assistance programs to help customers stay in control of their electric costs.

John Hawkins, FirstEnergy President, Pennsylvania: "We want our customers to feel safe and comfortable in their homes all year long. If you're having trouble paying your electric bill, please reach out. There are programs and payment options that may help lower your bill or prevent disconnection, and our team is here to guide you through them."

The following assistance programs are available to eligible customers:

• Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP): Residential customers can pay a percentage of their household income each month instead of their actual charges. Customers may also qualify to have their past-due balance eliminated.
   
• Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides payment directly to the utility company to help with heating bills or restore service. Customers can apply through April 10.
   
• WARM – Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP): Homeowners and renters can receive a home energy audit and personalized plan to save energy. Some customers may qualify for certain energy-saving home improvements, at no cost.
   
• Dollar Energy Fund (DEF): An emergency hardship fund to help customers maintain or restore service.

If you would like to donate to the Dollar Energy Fund to help Pennsylvania families who are having trouble affording their electricity costs, visit dollarenergy.org/donate.

We're committed to helping you. Whether you need temporary help or ongoing support, FEPA is here to ensure your home stays safe and comfortable. Visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to explore available assistance and payment programs.

Met-Ed serves approximately 592,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on X @Met Ed and on Facebook at facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

Penelec serves approximately 597,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania and western New York. Follow Penelec on X @Penelec and on Facebook at facebook.com/PenelecElectric.

Penn Power serves approximately 173,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on X @Penn_Power, on Facebook at facebook.com/PennPower, and online at pennpower.com.

West Penn Power serves approximately 746,000 customers in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn on X @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy 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 more than 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 firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstenergy-pennsylvania-customers-can-get-help-with-seasonal-energy-bills-302723531.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How can FE (FirstEnergy) Pennsylvania customers apply for LIHEAP before April 10, 2026?

Apply directly to state LIHEAP before the April 10, 2026 deadline to receive bill payment assistance. According to the company, LIHEAP provides payments to utilities to help with heating bills or restore service for eligible households.

What does PCAP (Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program) mean for FE (NYSE: FE) customers?

PCAP lets eligible customers pay a percentage of household income each month instead of full billed charges. According to the company, customers may also qualify to have past‑due balances eliminated under PCAP.

Who qualifies for WARM/LIURP energy-saving home improvements from FirstEnergy (FE)?

Low‑income homeowners and renters may qualify for a home energy audit and certain no‑cost improvements. According to the company, LIURP (WARM) offers personalized energy plans and possible upgrades to reduce usage.

How can customers in Pennsylvania donate to help families via the Dollar Energy Fund tied to FE?

Donate online at dollarenergy.org/donate to support emergency hardship assistance for electric customers. According to the company, the Dollar Energy Fund helps Pennsylvania families maintain or restore electric service.

Which FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities serve which customer counts and areas (FE)?

Met‑Ed ~592,000; Penelec ~597,000; Penn Power ~173,000; West Penn Power ~746,000 customers in Pennsylvania and nearby areas. According to the company, these distribution companies cover specified counties and service regions.

Where can FE Pennsylvania customers find program details and payment options online?

Visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist for program descriptions, eligibility and contact instructions. According to the company, the webpage lists assistance, payment plans, and links for enrollment and local utility contacts.