Rate Caps Vs. CAP Rate Discount

PECO Electric Rate Caps Are Expiring The Low-Income CAP Rate Discount Still Exists!

Rate Caps vs. CAP Rate Discount How to Shop for a Better Price

Q. I heard that PECO’s electric rate caps are Q. I am not eligible for PECO’s low-income CAP expiring in January 2011, does that mean that Rate discount program, but can a non-PECO my low-income CAP Rate discount is expiring? supplier lower my electric bill?

A. No! PECO’s low-income CAP Rate program A. Shopping guides and comparison charts are will continue to provide discounted bills for low- available for free from the PA Office of income customers who are enrolled in the CAP Consumer Advocate (OCA), 800-684-6560 or Rate program. www.oca.state.pa.us, and from the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC), 800-692-7380 or Q. What is the PECO CAP Rate discount and how PAPowerSwitch.com. can I get the discount? Q. How do I compare all the different offers? A. The PECO CAP Rate discount is available to customers whose household income is within A. In the same way you would compare cable and 150% of the federal poverty level. See chart. cell phone providers, ask: Household Size Monthly Income at 150% . How often will the rates change? E.g., of Federal Poverty Level monthly, quarterly (every 3 months), yearly? 1 $1,354 or less The "market" price of electricity can go up 2 $1,821 or less and down, in the same as gas prices. 3 $2,289 or less . Is there an early cancellation fee? The plans 4 $2,756 or less that lock in prices may have these fees. Each Add’l Person Add $468 Again, good websites for shopping guides are: www.oca.state.pa.us and PAPowerSwitch.com. Call PECO at 1-800-774-7040, provide your monthly income information, and ask for a CAP Q. Are door-to-door sales allowed and how do I Rate application. cancel a contract I was pressured to enter? Q. Can I switch to another electric supplier while A. Door-to-door sales are allowed. However, you enrolled in PECO’s CAP Rate discount? have the right to cancel a contract within 3- days, if signed during a door-to-door sale. You A. No. You must give up the CAP Rate discount if can also complain to the PUC about unfair you switch to a non-PECO electric supplier. sales practices, at 1-800-692-7380. The CAP Rate discount is now at least 25% off the first 650 kWh per month (average usage is Q. Will I stop getting PECO bills when I switch? about 750 kWh a month). Right now, no alternate supplier can beat this discount. Also, A. No, PECO will continue to bill you “distribution” if you switch, any unforgiven balance from charges for delivering electricity, and the before you enrolled in the CAP Rate discount “generation” & “transmission” charges on the will become due immediately. So, if you have bill will be from your chosen supplier. the CAP Rate discount, don’t switch.

1/2011 TBT Preventing Winter PECO Electric and Gas Shut Offs

DO NOT IGNORE SHUT OFF NOTICES  You could lose electricity or gas, even in the winter (December 1 – March 31). The law now allows PECO to shut off heat related service this winter, if your income is above 250% of the federal poverty level (see chart below). Read more to learn how to protect yourself.  You could be shut off Monday through Friday. PECO can now do shut offs on Fridays.  PECO now has up to 60 days from the date of the 10-day notice to turn off your service.  You are allowed at least one payment agreement to catch up on your bill.

VICTIMS OF ABUSE – If you have a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order, you cannot be shut off in winter if you show PECO the Order.

WINTER PROTECTIONS FOR LOWER INCOME CUSTOMERS  You may have legal protections from shut off but you must make sure PECO knows certain information about you.  Income at or below 250% – In winter, PECO cannot shut off your electricity or gas, without PUC approval, if: o You get or got LIHEAP assistance, or o You are in the CAP Rate discount program for low-income customers, or o You show PECO your income is at or below 250% of the poverty level (see chart).

Monthly Income At 250% of the Federal Poverty Level: 2010 Household Size, Including Children Monthly Adult Household Income 1 $2,256or less 2 $3,035 or less 3 $3,815 or less 4 $4,594 or less For each additional person add: $779

ALL YEAR PROTECTIONS – All year, regardless of your income, you are protected from shut off if:

 Medical Certification: If your doctor or a nurse practitioner gives PECO a written medical certification that says you or a person in your home is seriously ill or has a medical condition that would become worse by an electricity or gas shut off (ask PECO to fax a medical certification form to your doctor); the certification will delay shut off for 30 days and may be renewed 2 times. You should make payment arrangements with PECO during this time.

 You have a bill dispute: If your bill is incorrect, you can prevent shut off by disputing your bill before the shut off date. If PECO will not delay the shut off process, then you may file an informal complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), by calling 1-800-692-7380. Be sure to use the words “billing dispute” in making your complaint. You should not be shut off while your informal complaint is pending. However, you must pay all undisputed bills while the case is pending.

11/22/10 TBT - suburb