JCP&L Encourages Customers to Explore Energy Bill Assistance Options

Rhea-AI Summary

JCP&L (NYSE: FE) encourages customers to explore year-round energy bill assistance and will host a free in-person event on April 22 at the Charles A. Smith Community Center in Forked River from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Universal Service Fund offers monthly bill credits and a USF Fresh Start to help eliminate past-due balances; eligibility includes household income at or below 60% of state median and paying more than 2% (non-electric heat) or 4% (electric heat) of annual income on electricity. JCP&L serves 1.2 million New Jersey customers and lists other programs including LIHEAP, SHARES, PAGE, Lifeline and Comfort Partners.

Key Figures

USF income threshold: 60% of state median income Non-heating energy burden: 2% of annual income Electric heat energy burden: 4% of annual income +5 more

8 metrics

USF income threshold 60% of state median income Eligibility for Universal Service Fund

Non-heating energy burden 2% of annual income Minimum electricity spend if no electric heat for USF

Electric heat energy burden 4% of annual income Minimum electricity spend with electric heat for USF

Event date April 22 Ocean County in-person assistance event

Event time window 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Duration of JCP&L assistance event

Minimum past-due balance $100 Eligibility threshold for PAGE assistance

JCP&L customers 1.2 million Customers served across multiple New Jersey counties

Transmission mileage 24,000 miles Approximate length of transmission lines operated

Market Reality Check

Price: $49.68 Vol: Volume 6,514,062 is above...

high vol

$49.68 Last Close

Volume Volume 6,514,062 is above the recent 20-day average of 4,290,802, indicating elevated trading activity. high

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day moving average at 44.99, indicating a pre-existing upward bias before this assistance-focused release.

Peers on Argus

FE is down while key regulated electric peers like AEE (-0.52%), EIX (-0.64%), P...

FE is down while key regulated electric peers like AEE (-0.52%), EIX (-0.64%), PPL (-0.87%) and ES (-4.29%) also show declines, but no peers appeared in the momentum scanner, suggesting today’s move is not a confirmed sector-wide momentum event.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 17 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 17	Restoration progress update	Positive	-1.1%	Reported over 97% of nearly 1.1M storm-affected customers restored.
Mar 16	Storm restoration status	Positive	+1.4%	Crews restored power to over 96% of 800,000+ impacted customers.
Mar 12	Storm preparedness	Positive	+0.7%	Warned of 50–75 mph winds and detailed mobilized crews and safety steps.
Mar 2	Transmission projects win	Positive	-0.3%	PJM selected FirstEnergy Transmission for reliability projects totaling about $950M.
Feb 26	Leadership appointment	Neutral	+0.0%	Appointed VP, Transmission Finance to oversee filings, rates and JV initiatives.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has centered on storm preparation, restoration and transmission growth projects, with mixed price alignment: three announcements saw price moves aligned with generally positive operational updates, while two showed mild divergences.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, FirstEnergy has focused on grid reliability and operations. Storm-related updates on March 12–17 detailed wind damage, restoration efforts for up to 1.1 million affected customers and staged crews across multiple states. On March 2, the company highlighted about $950 million of PJM-awarded transmission investments. A February leadership appointment in transmission finance supported these initiatives. Today’s customer bill-assistance communication fits this pattern of operational and customer-focused messaging.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights JCP&L’s focus on supporting New Jersey customers through programs like ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights JCP&L’s focus on supporting New Jersey customers through programs like the Universal Service Fund, LIHEAP and a dedicated April 22 assistance event. It follows recent communications on storm response and grid investment. Investors may track how outreach to 1.2 million customers influences arrears trends, service reliability and community relations alongside ongoing transmission projects and leadership changes documented in prior disclosures.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Company hosting assistance event in Ocean County on April 22

MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seasonal temperature shifts can lead to higher energy use – and higher bills. With the New Jersey Winter Termination Program ending recently, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company, is here to help with programs that make managing your energy costs easier throughout the year.

Doug Mokoid, President, FirstEnergy New Jersey: "When temperatures swing to extremes like they did this winter, many customers use more energy to heat or cool their homes, which can lead to higher electric bills. No one should feel stressed about staying comfortable and safe at home. If you're concerned about paying your electric bill, please reach out – our dedicated team is here to help you find options and get back on track."

Get Monthly Bill Credits with the Universal Service Fund

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a year-round program that helps eligible households manage their energy costs and may eliminate past-due balances through the USF Fresh Start Program.

To qualify, a household must:

• Have a gross income at or below 60% of the state median income level.
• Pay more than 2% of its annual income for electricity if it does not have
  electric heat, or more than 4% of its annual income on electricity if it uses electric heat.

Customers can visit firstenergycorp.com/USF to schedule an appointment with a team member to receive dedicated help completing and submitting their application.

Ocean County Energy Assistance Event

JCP&L will host a free assistance event on April 22 at the Charles A. Smith Community Center (15 E. Lacey Rd., Forked River) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can receive in-person help applying for USF and learn about additional assistance programs. Community partners will also be on hand to answer questions.

More Payment Assistance Programs are Available

Additional payment assistance programs are available to eligible customers:

• The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Direct payment to the utility company to help with home heating costs. Emergency LIHEAP, which helps to maintain or restore service.
• New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (SHARES): Provides low-to-moderate-income households with energy assistance to help maintain or restore service.
• Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE): Support for zero- to moderate-income customers who have past-due electric bills and a minimum balance of $100.
• 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.
• Lifeline: An annual benefit to customers who receive the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or receive Supplemental Social Security.
• Comfort Partners Programs: Provides eligible customers with no cost in-home energy usage evaluation and energy-saving home improvements.

We're here to help. Whether you need short-term help or ongoing assistance, JCP&L is here to help keep your home safe and comfortable. Visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to learn more about available assistance and payment programs.

JCP&L serves 1.2 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L, on Facebook at facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.  

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving 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, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jcpl-encourages-customers-to-explore-energy-bill-assistance-options-302719926.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

When and where is the JCP&L (FE) Ocean County energy assistance event on April 22, 2026?

The event is on April 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Charles A. Smith Community Center in Forked River. According to the company, attendees can get in-person help applying for USF and meet community partners offering support.

What are the Universal Service Fund (USF) eligibility rules for JCP&L (FE) customers?

USF eligibility requires household gross income at or below 60% of the state median and paying more than 2% or 4% of income for electricity. According to the company, the 2% threshold applies to non-electric heat and 4% to electric heat households.

How can JCP&L (FE) customers apply for the USF Fresh Start to remove past-due balances?

Customers can schedule an appointment online to get help completing the USF Fresh Start application. According to the company, visit firstenergycorp.com/USF to arrange dedicated assistance submitting applications and documentation.

What other payment assistance programs does JCP&L (FE) list for New Jersey customers?

JCP&L lists LIHEAP, Emergency LIHEAP, SHARES, PAGE, Lifeline, Comfort Partners and the 2-1-1 helpline. According to the company, these programs offer direct utility payments, emergency help, energy-efficiency upgrades, and referral services for eligible households.

Who qualifies for PAGE and what is the minimum past-due balance for JCP&L (FE) support?

PAGE supports zero- to moderate-income customers with past-due electric bills and requires a minimum balance of $100. According to the company, PAGE is intended to help customers who meet income criteria and have arrears above that threshold.

How many customers does JCP&L (FirstEnergy FE) serve in New Jersey and which counties are included?

JCP&L serves 1.2 million New Jersey customers across multiple counties including Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and others. According to the company, service spans 12 counties across the state and includes both urban and suburban communities.