Penelec customers who have fallen behind on their electric bills could see shutoffs as a moratorium for winter utility disconnection was lifted Friday.

“We are encouraging Penelec customers experiencing financial hardship to contact us as soon as possible to establish affordable payment arrangements,” Todd Meyers, a senior communications representative with First Energy, Penelec’s parent company, said.

“We find many customers are unaware of the help that is out there for them or may be embarrassed or afraid to reach out for assistance with past-due balances on their electric bill.”

A statement from the company outlines several possible programs where assistance might be able to be found: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which can provide crisis grants up to $1,200 to assist in this area; the Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program which includes budget plans and monthly credits; the Dollar Energy Fund which can provide up to $500 and Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Pa. Homeowners Assistance Fund.

They also highlighted the 2-1-1 helpline which can identify local programs that can help.

“The last thing we want to do is apply a late fee or issue a disconnection notice to a customer facing financial hardship when it can be avoided…,” Meyers said.

He explained that they can’t provide a breakdown of the number of customers in Warren County facing termination but he did call the situation a “widespread issue.

“There are more than 50,000 Penelec residential customers who are behind on their electric bills who could face terminations in the future,” he said. Of course we aren’t looking to disconnect any customer. We want them to call us so we can match them with bill assistance opportunities to help with past due balances or negotiate a payment plan that stretches as long as five years to catch up.”

He outlined several ways that customers can reach Penelec: via the internet at firstenergycorp.com/billassist or complete a form to contact a customer service representative or via phone at (800) 545-7741 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.