The Commission requires Verizon Washington, D.C., PEPCO, and Washington Gas to offer discount rates to low income residential customers. A brief description of each program is provided below.
Telecommunications
ECONOMY II is the discount program offered by Verizon in the District. This program offers discounted local telephone service to qualified DC residents, including single people, for $3.00 a month. Seniors 65 years of age or older participating in Economy II pay $1.00 per month for this service. DC residents participating in Economy II have unlimited calling in the Washington metropolitan area.
Electric
RESIDENTIAL AID DISCOUNT (RAD) is the discount program offered by Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO). This program offers eligible DC residents who are PEPCO customers who do not have all-electric heating a 63% discount on the first 400 kilowatt-hours in summer months (June - October) and a 32% discount on the first 400 kilowatt-hours in winter months (November - May) For the typical RAD customer, this translates into a savings of $12 per month in the summer and $6 per month in the winter or $102 per year. For eligible residential customers who have all-electric heating the discount is 38% on the first 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity used in summer months (June - October) and a 51% discount on the first 700 kilowatt-hours in winter months (November - May). For the typical RAD customer, this translates into a savings of $20 a month or $240 a year.
Gas
RESIDENTIAL ESSENTIAL SERVICE (RES) is the discount program offered by Washington Gas. This program offers discount gas rates during the winter months from November through April. The amount of the discount is determined by classification, which is based on household size and income level. There are three classifications A - C: Class C may receive a total discount up to $142.02, Class B may receive a total discount up to $151.03 and Class A may receive a total discount up to $189.08.
How to Apply
Applications
for the discount programs should be to sent to the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Division (DDOE) at 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 300E, Washington, DC 20009. In order to qualify for any of the discount programs, one must be a District of Columbia resident. The utility bill must be in the applicant's name and he/she must meet the following income guidelines as established by the U.S. Government Office of Management and Budget. Participants must reapply for certification each year. For more information, call the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Division (DDOE) hotline at 202-673-6750 or the Commission's Consumer Services Office on 202-626-5120.
Although applications for the discount rates may be made throughout the year, the Commission works with the utility companies, Office of the People's Counsel, and the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Division (DDOE) in hosting a Sign Up Day for the Discount programs at the DC Convention Center once a year. Sign Up Day is usually held in October.
District Department of Energy
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Household Size
New Maximum Annual Income
Old Maximum Annual Income
1
$22,330
$15,677
2
$29,201
$20,501
3
$36,072
$25,352
4
$42,943
$30,149
5
$49,814
$34,973
6
$56,685
$39,797
7
$57,973
$40,701
8
$59,261
$41,606
Proof of income must be provided with the application. To show proof of income, a copy of one of the documents listed below must be provided with the application:
