More Than 7,000 Customers Benefit From ComEd's Helping Hand Program

CHICAGO, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to an overwhelming response to the Helping Hand program, ComEd announced it has more than doubled its original budget to assist more than 7,000 customers who were facing disconnection due to a recent financial hardship.

As a result, more than $2 million in bill credits will be issued to ComEd customers who applied and paid half of their remaining balance during the month-long program, which ended March 31.

"We knew the continuing recession was hitting northern Illinois much harder than elsewhere in the nation, and the amazing response to Helping Hand confirmed this," said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd president and chief operating officer. "We are pleased that more than 7,000 customers have the opportunity to once again successfully manage their energy bills moving forward."

Helping Hand was designed to help customers avoid a service suspension for non-payment caused by a recent financial hardship, such as a job loss or medical event. Such disconnections do not usually occur during winter months, but service suspensions now are under way with the start of spring weather and ComEd customers with unpaid balances who have received a final notice can now be disconnected at any point.

The average Helping Hand bill credit was about $300. The program reflects ComEd's ongoing commitment to assist customers who face short- and long-term financial challenges.

ComEd plans to distribute another $8 million this year through other assistance programs, such as Residential Special Hardship Grants, Fresh Start Electric Space Heat Credits, and C.H.A.M.P. for activated military personnel. For more information on eligibility, visit www.ComEdCARE.com or call 888-806-CARE (2273). Last year, ComEd distributed approximately $15.5 million in assistance to more than 75,000 customers.

ComEd was also a primary supporter of statewide assistance legislation signed into law last year that created a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) that will be phased in through September 2011. Introduced by State Senator Kimberly Lightford and State Representative Marlow Colvin, PIPP will help low-income customers by limiting how much they can be charged and will create manageable monthly payment plans.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.

SOURCE ComEd