240,000 low- to moderate-income customers enrolled in new Low-Income Discount program

CHICAGO -- (Business Wire)

ComEd today joined the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), as well as Chicago-area leaders to highlight the availability of ComEd’s new Low-Income Discount (LID) program. Created in alignment with the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, ComEd’s LID program offers qualifying income-eligible customers a percentage-based discount on their electric bills based on income level. These discounts build on the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program to further reduce energy costs to 3% to 6% of total household income.

Since its launch on Jan. 1, 2026, 171,000 Chicago customers are among the 240,000 active ComEd customers enrolled in the LID program, which is still accepting applications from eligible customers challenged to pay energy bills. The LID program provides new affordability options as rising energy supply costs—driven by supply-demand imbalances affecting nearly half of energy bills—continue to impact customers. ComEd does not control supply prices, and these costs are passed on without profit to ComEd.

“Too many families have to make impossible choices when energy costs rise, and LID gives customers the chance to keep the lights on while they work toward greater stability,” said ComEdPresident and CEO Gil Quiniones. “We will always collaborate with community partners to enhance the affordability of energy and to strengthen programs like LID that provide a lifeline for customers who may be struggling.”

The LID program offers tiered discounts to customers whose total household income is up to 300% of the federal poverty level—which amounts to $99,000 for a family of four. However, the maximum household income allowed to qualify for LID may vary based on the customer's residential delivery class and other factors.

“Access to affordable energy is essential for families to remain stable and thrive in our communities,” said Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker. “Programs like ComEd’s Low-Income Discount help ensure that working families, seniors and residents facing financial hardship are not forced to choose between keeping the lights on and meeting other basic needs. I encourage all eligible residents to explore this opportunity and take advantage of the relief available. By working together with partners like ComEd and CEDA, we can continue expanding access to critical resources that strengthen households and support the long-term vitality of our communities.”

Customers whose total household incomes do not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may automatically qualify for LID when they are approved for state energy assistance programs such as LIHEAP, which is administered by Community Action Agencies (CAAs). ComEd customers with household incomes between 201% and 300% of FPL who are ineligible for LIHEAP may qualify for LID as Tier 5 customers. These individuals may apply for ComEd’s LID program by self-enrolling via the Smart Assistance Manager tool at ComEd.com/SAM.

CEDA, the administering agency of Cook County, empowers individuals, families, and communities facing poverty to secure a better quality of life. Last year, CEDA of Cook County served over 155,000 households through LIHEAP energy assistance programs.

“Community action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. That promise becomes real when working families can keep the lights on without sacrificing groceries, medicine, or their mortgage,” said HaroldRice, Jr., President and CEO of CEDA of Cook County. “ComEd’s Low-Income Discount program brings that mission to life. By helping ensure energy costs remain affordable, this program strengthens household stability, supports hard-working families, and reinforces the kind of economic resilience that benefits every community. Affordability is not a partisan issue. It is about making sure families who work hard can remain secure in their homes and build a stronger future.”

Customers who apply and qualify for LIHEAP are automatically eligible to receive LID benefits for a period ranging from 13 to 24 months, depending on their specific tier and enrollment date. Actual savings realized through the program may differ according to household income and delivery class; however, ComEd estimates that the average eligible customer may achieve savings between 5% and 80% on their electricity bills.

"We must continue to pursue smart ideas that save people money and help them thrive in an ever-changing economic environment," said state Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez (D-Cicero). "The Low-Income Discount program is a product of this work and is a critical way for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans to save on their monthly bills. I'm proud to have partnered with CEDA and statewide partners last spring to implement necessary changes to our LIHEAP eligibility to ensure more of our seniors can keep the lights and heat on. Let's build on this progress and continue to deliver real change for hardworking families."

“With everyday household costs rising, it’s great to see government and business working together to provide relief to those working hard to make ends meet,” said 1st District Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps. “The effort by ComEd, and agencies across the state, to offer the Low-Income Discount program aligns with Cook County’s commitment to help lift up families and the communities they live in.”

ComEd’s other customer support programs

The introduction of LID supports ComEd’s commitment of The Exelon Promise—a comprehensive, customer-first strategy from parent company Exelon focused on delivering immediate customer relief, strong protections amid growing demand, and long-term solutions to address the root causes driving higher costs.

In 2025, ComEd helped connect more than 220,000 customers to over $108 million in financial assistance and relief programs. This included ComEd’s $10 million Customer Relief Fund, launched in collaboration with Exelon to offer immediate bill relief to more than 30,000 customers. Following this initiative, ComEd introduced its Delivery Time-of-Day pricing rate in January, enabling households to save money by shifting their energy usage to times when electricity prices are lower and demand is reduced.

These programs add to ComEd’s existing support options, such as flexible payments, energy efficiency programs, and connection to state and federal programs that help customers manage higher costs now. For details on support options, visit ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation’s largest utility companies, serving almost 11 million customers through six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities — Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO, and Pepco. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram,LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

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Contacts:

ComEd Media Relations
312-394-3500

Source: ComEd