We’re excited to announce that a new case study – “Connecting Consumers in Need with Financial Assistance” – is now available for download. The latest case study covers the development of the Powering Lives Resource Fairs where ComEd customers could have in-person access to a customer service representative (CSR), review their recent bills and apply for financial assistance right on the spot.

Following a study on the barriers that disadvantaged and environmental justice communities face, ComEd began to rethink its customer-service approach. To effectively engage customers in historically marginalized communities, the company decided to host in-person resource fairs throughout its service territory, selecting four areas to host flagship events in 2023 alongside a nonprofit partner that was well-known within each community.

The goal of the Powering Lives Resource Fairs was to create a one-stop shop where customers could have in-person access to a ComEd customer service representative (CSR), review their recent bills and, ultimately, apply for financial assistance right on the spot. Customers could also access external services, including assistance from gas utility providers, health screenings (flu shots, COVID shots, blood pressure checks and more), food pantries to provide food to take home, rent and mortgage assistance and more.

The Powering Lives Resource Fairs have been effective in driving community engagement and removing barriers to convenient access to financial assistance. In 2023, a total of four fairs were held in the Woodlawn and Austin neighborhoods of Chicago, as well as in Ford Heights and Rockford, Illinois. Over 3,200 customers attended the fairs, and over one thousand customers connected to onsite bill assistance and energy-management programs.

With the addition of the new case study, there are now 44 success stories available in our archive from a wide range of electricity providers across the United States and Canada, including Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Ameren Illinois, Cobb EMC, London Hydro, AEP Ohio, NB Power and Consumers Energy.