ComEd launches $10 million customer relief fund as electricity prices rise
ComEd is launching a $10 million customer relief fund for lower-income customers having trouble paying for electricity as prices rise.
ComEd said the one-time $10 million fund will provide relief for low- to moderate-income customers and nonprofit organizations. One time grants of $500 are available for individual customers, and $1,000 one-time grants for nonprofit organizations.
Customers with past-due balances who are at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, or nonprofits with past-due balances can qualify. The federal poverty level for 2025 in the 48 contiguous states is $15,650 for a single person and $32,150 for a family of four. The poverty level is adjusted by $5,500 for each additional member of a household. Based on that, you could qualify for help from ComEd's fund if you're an individual making $46,950 a year or less, or a family of four making $96,450 or less.
"Our seniors are dollar for dollar, we have single parents that are raising families where every dollar counts," said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th). "With EBT being at risk, with some of the housing support being at risk, this will give some relief and some hope to families."
While ComEd provides different relief funds throughout the year, they say this one is unique.
"The fund is our desire to make sure that it's a bridge between other programs that are available to you — such as the LIHEAP program, which is dormant during the summer months because of the exhaustion of funds," said Melissa Washington, senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives at ComEd.
The cost of electricity rose significantly in Illinois at the start of the summer and is expected to stay high for the next year due to increases in the supply rate. ComEd has estimated the increase could cost customers an extra $10.50 a month.
"I'm paying now for central air, it increased $20 to $30, and with that excess $10 raise that we got, it's high, it's very high," said Beverly Varnado, who applied for a grant. "We need this."
People who applied for the relief fund Monday said the relief could not have come at a better time. Ruth Rivera said the grant would be life-changing.
"Everything is so expensive, and for two people that are disabled, we can't do much," said Rivera, "so this is going to be a step up for us not losing our home."
Rivera said her household has gotten so behind on its electricity bill that she has been without power all summer.
"There's a lot of people without electricity on the South Side — a lot," Rivera said. "Families are really suffering."
The relief left Rivera with tears in her eyes after she applied for the grant at the Salvation Army in the Englewood neighborhood.
"It's making me emotional because I'm a diabetic, and I am half blind, and my pump's got to be charged. My insulin's got to be cold," she said, "and it really hurts."
The watchdog group Citizens Utility Board said the fact that ComEd is offering the credit is an acknowledgement of just how serious the latest price spike is.
Representatives for ComEd said they expect high demand for this funding and that the $10 million will be used quickly.
You can apply for the grants through the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago or the Salvation Army directly, either online, by phone or in person. Applicants need an ID, proof of income, and a recent ComEd bill.
