Through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), millions of dollars are available to help Pennsylvanians pay their rent or utility bills. If you rent your home and can answer “yes” to any of these questions, ERAP may be for you.

• Do you qualify for unemployment benefits?
• Has your income declined, or have you experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic?
• Are you at risk of losing your home or apartment?
• Is your household income lower than 80 percent of the median income in your county? ERAP funds will be available throughout the summer.

To apply for the money, you need to contact the county in which you live. For information on how to apply, visit pplelectric.com/erap.

Help for everyone

Whether you rent or own your home, we offer many programs and options that can help you pay your electric bill:

• We can forgive your debt and set you up with lower fixed monthly payments through our OnTrack* program.
• You could be eligible for free money to help pay your bill though our Operation HELP fund.
• Our WRAP* program can help you reduce your monthly electricity use, leading to lower bills.
• Sign up for budget billing to smooth out your monthly payments, making them predictable and easier to manage.
• Set up a flexible payment arrangement to help you pay down your balance over time.
• Pick the monthly due date of your bill so it works for your income schedule.

*Programs are available to income-eligible customers.

Learn more or apply for bill help at pplelectric.com/billhelp.

Not all heroes wear capes; some wear PPE

Mike Bezick’s day-to-day routine as a journeyman doesn’t normally include helping a stranded customer. But one cold day this winter, that’s exactly what he did.

As Mike was driving back from a field assignment during a fresh snowstorm, he spotted a vehicle that slid off the road into a tree. He stopped to see how he could help and found the driver conscious but trapped in his truck. Mike acted fast, called 911 and kept the man calm until first responders arrived at the scene of the accident.

Our employees are always willing to offer a helping hand, whether that means volunteering in their local communities, or stopping to help a customer in need. Mike embodies our corporate values. And we’re proud of the courage and kindness he displayed as he helped a customer in need.

Bringing STEM learning to virtual classrooms

As any teacher will tell you, the transition to a virtual environment has been a challenge throughout the pandemic. That’s why we’re stepping up to ease the burden and connect students with the resources they need to thrive.

Through a collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Da Vinci Science Center, and the Allentown School District, we successfully launched a STEM literacy series for fourth and fifth grade students.

STEM – which stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math” – is critical, as it prepares students for future success in both school and their careers.

To kick off this initiative, we funded a professional development training session for teachers. The training provided resources and tools to support the launch of the program for roughly 2,500 students. Then, students across the district received STEM packages of their own, including a textbook and science kit so they can participate in a six-week lesson.

Here’s to the next generation of STEM leaders and their future contributions to our communities!

Find the right LED and save the easy way

With Choose a Light Guide from ENERGY STAR®, you can find the perfect LED light to help you save energy and money. Whether you’re replacing the bulb on a desk lamp, a ceiling light or a chandelier, follow these three simple steps to find the right LED.

1. Select a shape. From your standard A19s to globe lighting and beyond, each shape can offer unique benefits.
2. Choose a color. Use the lighting guide and click through each setting to find the right mood — or "color temperature" — that fits you.
3. Pick your brightness. See how lumens, watts and brightness all work together to light life’s moments and lower your bills.

The guide will show you how to save while you shop for the right LED. To complete the guide, visit energystar.gov and search for “Choose a Light.”