SHUTOFF NOTICE?Call Penn Power at 800-720-3600 before the date on the notice and ask for a payment arrangement. If someone in the home is seriously ill, ask about a medical certificate. Apply for energy assistance at the same time.
Discount rates and monthly credits
Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP)
- What
- A monthly bill based on a percentage of income or actual usage, whichever is less (minimum $12, or $45 for electric heating). Your past-due balance is set aside and reduced by 1/12th each time you pay a monthly PCAP bill. No security deposits or late charges.
- Who
- Income-eligible residential customers. You must recertify income periodically.
- How
- Apply through Dollar Energy Fund online at PA Bill Assist or call 888-282-6816.
Help with a bill you cannot pay
Dollar Energy Fund
- What
- An emergency hardship fund that gives temporary help paying the electric bill. Opens October 1 and stays open until funds run out.
- Who
- Residential customers with a recent financial hardship. Income guidelines apply.
- How
- Call Dollar Energy at 888-282-6816 or apply online.
Payment plans and more time to pay
Payment Arrangements
- What
- Affordable installments on a past-due balance, paid with your monthly bill.
- Who
- Customers who find it hard to pay on time.
- How
- Log in to your account or call 800-720-3600.
Military Deferred Payment Program
- What
- Lets you defer all or part of your monthly bill while a family member is on active military duty. The balance is reviewed when they return.
- Who
- Customers with financial difficulty because a family member was called to active duty.
- How
- Email Penn Power or call 800-720-3600.
Budget billing
Budget Billing (Equal Payment Plan)
- What
- Spreads energy costs evenly across the year, with reviews and an annual true-up.
- Who
- Penn Power residential customers.
- How
- Log in to your account or call 800-720-3600.
Medical needs
Medical Certification
- What
- Keeps service on while a household member is seriously ill or has a medical condition that needs electric service. You must keep paying current bills.
- Who
- Households where a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant certifies the illness or condition.
- How
- Complete the Request for Medical Certification Form, or call 800-545-7741.
Critical Care Program
- What
- Helps customers who use life-sustaining electric medical equipment prepare for planned and unplanned outages.
- Who
- Homes where someone uses certain electrically operated life-sustaining medical equipment.
- How
- Call Penn Power at 800-720-3600.
Seniors and people with disabilities
Extended Due Date
- What
- Moves your payment due date until after your check arrives.
- Who
- Customers who are at least 60 years old, get a Social Security or pension check, or get disability assistance.
- How
- Email Penn Power or call 800-720-3600.
Free home energy upgrades
WARM Program (Low Income Usage Reduction Program)
- What
- A free in-home energy evaluation and free energy-saving items such as caulking, weather-stripping, energy-saving bulbs and possible refrigerator or freezer replacement.
- Who
- Low-income homeowners and renters (with landlord approval) who meet income and electricity use requirements.
- How
- Call the FirstEnergy Human Service Department at 1-888-406-8074 or apply through PA Bill Assist.
Other programs
Customer Assistance & Referral Evaluation Services Program (CARES)
- What
- Short-term help and referrals to social agencies and other programs.
- Who
- Residential customers with a temporary hardship who are having trouble paying.
- How
- Email Penn Power or call 800-720-3600.
Third-Party Notification
- What
- A friend, relative, clergy or agency is told if your service is about to be disconnected. They do not have to pay.
- Who
- Any customer.
- How
- Email Penn Power or call 800-720-3600.
State energy assistance in Pennsylvania
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills (the federal LIHEAP program). The 2026-2027 season is scheduled to open on November 2, 2026. Apply through DHS (COMPASS or your county assistance office). Cash grants range from $200 to $1,000; crisis grants help if you are in immediate danger of being without heat. Official page.
When the utility cannot shut off service in Pennsylvania
- Cold weather: During the period of December 1 through March 31, an electric distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level, unless the Commission authorizes it.
- Medical: Service may not be terminated for the time period in a medical certification; the maximum length is 30 days. Certifications may be renewed (limited to two 30-day renewals if bills are not being paid).
Rule: 52 Pa. Code § 56.100 (winter); 52 Pa. Code § 56.114 (medical). Official text. The protections have conditions: read the rule or ask the utility. You still owe the bill.
To see what your bill should be, use the Penn Power bill calculator. To lower it, see the plans and the appliance cost tool. All programs: Penn Power assistance page.
How can I get help paying my Penn Power bill?
Call Penn Power before the due date and ask for a payment arrangement, apply for energy assistance, and ask about its discount programs (Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP)). This page lists each program with its official link.
Does Penn Power have a low-income discount?
Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP): A monthly bill based on a percentage of income or actual usage, whichever is less (minimum $12, or $45 for electric heating). Your past-due balance is set aside and reduced by 1/12th each time you pay a monthly PCAP bill. No security deposits or late charges. Income-eligible residential customers. You must recertify income periodically.
Can Penn Power shut off my power in winter?
The Pennsylvania rule: During the period of December 1 through March 31, an electric distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level, unless the Commission authorizes it. The rule has conditions, and you still owe the bill.
utilityratecalc.com is not part of Penn Power or a government agency. Programs and amounts change: the official page of each program has the current rules. Checked October 21, 2026.