Pepco expands $300 energy relief for Prince George's County residents

Pepco announced on Jan. 13 that it expanded the Pepco Customer Relief Fund to provide up to $300 in direct bill assistance for eligible residential customers in the District and Maryland, including Prince George's County. The program, launched in partnership with the Salvation Army, aims to deliver additional funding to households with limited or moderate incomes who are carrying utility arrears.

To qualify, residential Pepco customers must have an outstanding account balance of at least $250 and meet income guidelines. The Salvation Army will administer the funds locally in Prince George's County, and applicants can learn more and apply through Pepco’s or the Salvation Army’s online portals. The expansion targets customers who already face measurable financial strain from energy bills and could use immediate help lowering arrears.

For residents, the relief changes the near-term calculus on household budgeting. A one-time credit of up to $300 can substantially trim a typical past-due balance and, for some households, remove a key obstacle to avoiding disconnection or entering more onerous repayment plans. Because the program requires a minimum $250 past-due balance, the assistance is directed at customers who are already behind on payments rather than those with current but unpaid charges.

Local administration by the Salvation Army means applications and distribution will follow community-level processes. Prince George's County residents seeking assistance should have their Pepco account information and basic income documentation ready when they apply online. Both Pepco and the Salvation Army portals are the designated entry points for requests; applicants will complete eligibility screening through those systems.

The expanded fund arrives amid ongoing concerns about energy affordability. While a one-time payment will not resolve underlying affordability challenges, it provides immediate relief to households with arrears and reduces short-term financial stress for affected families. For community organizations and local service providers, the expansion offers an additional tool to help residents stabilize energy accounts during winter months.

What comes next for residents is straightforward: check eligibility, apply through the Pepco or Salvation Army online portals, and monitor account status after approval. For many Prince George's County households, that $300 could be the difference between a manageable bill and a lingering past-due balance heading into the rest of the year.