By: Ashmar Mandou

With the summer months around the corner, ComEd Senior Vice President of Customer Operations Ajit Apte wants to remind everyone of their latest program designed to reduce costs for low-income customers. The Low-Income Discount (LID) program, which launched in January of this year, aims to provide price breaks to qualifying households.
“I want to emphasize that we know what our customers are going through,” said Apte. “We know, especially during the summer months that there is an increase in bills and what we want our customers to know is that we are to help them through it. We are constantly striving to make our services affordable.”

The LID program is designed so that households with an income up to 300% of the federal poverty level will qualify for benefits on a tiered schedule, which for a family of four, is $96,450. Those with incomes less than or equal to 50% of the federal threshold will see the largest discounts. “We want to make sure that we help the customers who are most in need,” Apte said.  “Those customers who are most in need will get the maximum benefit.” Apte explained that there are five tiers pending on the income level; first tier is 0% to 50%; second tier is 51% to 100%; third tier is 101% to 150%; fourth tier is 151% to 200%; and fifth tier is 201% to 300%; stated Apte.

Customers have an opportunity to apply for LID at the same time they apply for state energy assistance programs, like LIHEAP and Percent of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), offered at Communication Action Agencies. You can enroll in ComEd’s LID program by visiting their local CAA, or self-enrolling through ComEd’s Smart Assistance Manager tool. Upon qualifying, customers become eligible to receive LID for 13 to 24 months, depending on their tier and enrollment date. ComEd estimates the average eligible customer could save anywhere between 5% and 80% on their electric bill.

ComEd states 240,000 customers are enrolled in the LID program, but wants to emphasize that the LID program is ongoing. In addition, customers who have received LIHEAP energy assistance since October 2024 automatically quality for LID. The program is designed to keep energy costs at or below 3% (for non-space heating customers) and 6% (for space heating customers. Apte stated once a customer has applied to the LID program, the discounted rate will take up to one or two billing cycles. For more information, visit www.comed.com.