Why Your Electric Bill Reaches $500 and What Payment Assistance Is Available

Many households are asking why their electric bills have climbed to $500 or more. With energy costs rising across America, 31% of consumers report struggling with their electricity payments, according to a Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative survey. If you’re finding it harder to pay your utility bills on time, understanding your options for financial assistance is important—even if traditional aid programs don’t work for you.

Understanding Rising Utility Costs and Payment Challenges

The sharp increase in energy costs means more Americans are falling behind on their bills. Whether due to seasonal heating needs, increased usage, or simply higher rates, many households find themselves with significant past-due balances. For Pennsylvania residents, particularly those served by PECO (Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility), there were previously options available to help bridge these payment gaps.

The $500 Grant Program for PECO Customers

PECO, which serves more than 1.7 million electric customers and 545,000 natural gas customers across southeastern Pennsylvania, previously offered a one-time $500 grant program funded by Exelon (its parent company) to help customers with overdue bills. This program was designed specifically for households that earned too much to qualify for traditional low-income assistance but still struggled to keep up with payments.

The income thresholds for this program were considerably higher than standard aid programs. While traditional assistance requires household income below $23,475 annually for individuals or $48,225 for a family of four, the $500 grant was available to households earning between 151% and 300% of the federal poverty level—approximately $48,547 to $96,450 annually for a family of four.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Details

To qualify for the $500 grant, PECO customers needed to meet specific criteria:

• Have an overdue PECO bill with a past-due balance under $2,000 (or have the grant bring your balance below that threshold)
• Not have previously received a grant from this program
• Have no theft-of-service charges on the account within the past 12 months
• Fall within the specified income range

The application process was online, and the program ran from August through December (though this funding period has since concluded). The entire initiative was supported by a one-time $10 million charitable contribution from Exelon.

Finding Additional Assistance Options

Beyond this specific program, PECO customers struggling with bills can explore other assistance avenues, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and PECO’s Customer Assistance Program. These options typically have lower income requirements but may also provide meaningful relief. Checking with local utility assistance programs and nonprofit organizations focused on energy relief can help identify what financial support might currently be available for your situation.