ComEd CHAMP program

ComEd Offers Financial Assistance to Veterans and Active Military Personnel

CHICAGO (Nov. 11, 2013) – In light of Veterans Day, ComEd wants to remind customers that there is bill payment help for veterans and deployed active military personnel who are having difficulty paying their electric bills.

ComEd’s CHAMP (ComEd Helps Activated/Veteran Military Personnel) program provides bill- payment assistance to deployed members of the military and veterans who reside within ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory and demonstrate a need. CHAMP offers a package of benefits, including bill payment assistance of up to $1,000 while funds are available, deferred payment plans, extended payment due dates, cancellation of late charges, deposit reduction/or refund and budget payment plans.

Additionally, ComEd announces it is expanding CHAMP eligibility requirements to include all veterans. Launched in 2002, CHAMP was previously offered to disabled veterans and deployed active military personnel.

“In a challenging economic climate, we realize some customers fall on hard times and need assistance with paying their monthly electric bill,” said Val Jensen, senior vice president of Customers Operations, ComEd. “As part of our customer commitment, we are pleased to renew and broaden our commitment to financial assistance programs to help customers in need, especially veterans.”

According to ComEd the utility is providing $50 million in financial assistance over a five-year period, starting in 2012, to assist eligible low-income residents including seniors, veterans, and activated members of the armed services who are ComEd customers. These dollars are a direct result of the Smart Grid law enacted in 2011. Additionally, in 2012 ComEd helped more than 32,000 customers who might have otherwise faced disconnection due to financial hardship.

State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Matteson) said, “As a veteran, I am proud of ComEd’s efforts to assist customers struggling to pay their electric bill. They have helped thousands of customers in need keep the lights on and have dedicated millions of dollars to this effort.”

U.S. Army Veteran and Illinois State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) added, “There are many veterans who are struggling financially that could benefit from this program. That’s why it is important to ensure customers who are in need of assistance are aware of the funds ComEd offers, especially during these tough times.”

To enroll in CHAMP, customers should call 1-888-806-CARE (2273), or download an application at www.ComEd.com/CARE. Documentation required to qualify can be found on the CHAMP application.

For a complete list of ComEd’s financial assistance programs, or to enroll in ComEd’s bill-payment assistance programs, call 1-888-806-CARE (2273) or visit ComEd.Com/CARE.
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Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with approximately 6.6 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population.

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