Nov 2, 2022   SOURCE: BusinessWire

PECO Launches Free Resource to Connect Pennsylvanians with Utility Assistance and Other Social Services, Powered by the findhelp Network

findhelp, the company modernizing America’s social safety net, today announced a collaboration with PECO, Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas provider, to connect Pennsylvania residents with verified social care resources including food, housing, utility assistance and more. Powered by the findhelp network, PECO.findhelp.com allows Pennsylvanians to privately search for and access free and reduced-cost services in their area, with dignity and ease.

In Pennsylvania, 2.24 million people have fallen behind on their energy bills in the past 12 months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than one-third of those have at least one child in their home. Through this new initiative, PECO is launching an easy and more modern approach to connect people with the many assistance programs already in place that have historically gone underutilized.

“At PECO, our Community Engagement team conducts extensive outreach throughout our service territory to ensure customers are aware of our energy assistance programs. Our collaboration with findhelp allows us to connect vulnerable customers with assistance programs that meet other essential needs as well,” says Romona Riscoe Benson, Director of Corporate and Community Impact, PECO. “We look forward to continuing our work together to support those in our communities who need it most.”

During its pilot stage, PECO.findhelp.com processed more than 4,700 searches for free and reduced-cost services. Platform data revealed people who initially visited the site for utility assistance also sought help for a range of social care resources, including assistance with housing, food and personal loans. Healthcare, legal services and education were also among the top search areas for people utilizing the platform.

“It’s encouraging to find and work with a company like PECO that clearly cares about and wants to do the right things for its customers,” said Erine Gray, founder and CEO of findhelp. “Utilities are a basic necessity in America today, but people are being squeezed by rising energy prices at a time when the spending power of a dollar seems to shrink every day. Through this innovative program, PECO is redefining the role a utility company can play in its community by providing a more modern approach to helping people access any social care resources they need.”

For more information on PECO, visit peco.com, and to learn more about findhelp, please visit company.findhelp.com.

About findhelp
findhelp is the company modernizing America’s social safety net for anyone who needs help or helps others. With the largest network of community-based organizations and proprietary technology that intelligently matches people with the resources they need, findhelp is the fastest and most reliable way to get help with privacy and dignity. findhelp is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has been enabling healthcare, government, education and other organizations to connect people with the social care resources that serve them since 2010. For more information, visit http://company.findhelp.com.