First Energy Subsidiaries Launch $500 Summer Aid Program to Ease Ohio Electric Bills

Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison, all subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), are offering respite from the financial burden posed by summer electric bills with the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program. This initiative is designed to support residential customers across Ohio in managing their energy expenses during the intense summer season. The program, available until September 30, provides eligible customers with up to $500 in one-time assistance, which can be utilized to pay off electric bills, repair central air conditioning units, or purchase air conditioning units and fans.

Torrence Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio, emphasized the importance of such support by recognizing the challenges that high energy bills bring during the hot summer months. Encouraging participation, Hinton underscored the company's commitment to connecting customers to valuable resources for financial relief. Customers interested in applying for the HEAP Summer Crisis Program can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to check eligibility requirements and submit applications.

In addition to the summer assistance measures, FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidiaries extend support throughout the year via other financial aid programs. These include the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus), which allows customers to manage monthly bills by contributing a percentage of their household income. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grants direct cash assistance for heating needs, particularly acute during emergencies.

For those facing immediate financial hardships, targeted programs like Project REACH provide assistance to Ohio Edison residential customers. Similarly, the Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP) is designed for temporary support for customers of The Illuminating Company, while the Ohio Fuel Fund offers cash grants specifically to their residential customers to alleviate energy bill pressures. Moreover, Neighbors Helping Neighbors lends aid to Toledo Edison customers facing financial challenges. FirstEnergy’s Ohio electric companies ensure that whether the requirement is short-term or ongoing, the necessary support systems are in place to maintain customer safety and comfort.

The scale of FirstEnergy's operations in Ohio is significant, serving over one million customers across 34 counties through Ohio Edison alone. The Illuminating Company caters to more than 750,000 customers across regions like Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties. Furthermore, Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in Northwest Ohio. These companies make use of social media platforms to engage with customers, providing updates and assistance options via channels such as X and Facebook.

FirstEnergy is committed to operational excellence, ensuring integrity, reliability, and safety within its vast service network. Spanning across key states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York, the company’s subsidiaries together form one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the nation. The transmission arm of FirstEnergy operates an extensive network of over 24,000 miles of lines that interlink the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, facilitating robust electric service delivery. For further information, customers and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with FirstEnergy’s online presence on their official website and social media outlets.

These proactive initiatives reaffirm FirstEnergy's dedication to effectively supporting its customer base, especially during peak energy consumption periods marked by summer heat. By leveraging both seasonal and year-round assistance programs, FirstEnergy helps mitigate the impact of high energy costs, ensuring that customers remain cool and financially stable throughout Ohio’s summer months.