Energy Assistance

About the Office of Home Energy Programs

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service.

Energy assistance will not reduce the amount of any other public assistance benefits you receive, such as TCA or Food Stamps. Nor will it reduce Social Security benefits.

OHEP provides four separate grants:

The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides financial assistance with home heating bills. Payments are made to the fuel supplier and utility company on the customer’s behalf.

The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) provides financial assistance with electric bills. Eligible customers receive help that pays a portion of their current electric bills. Customers who receive EUSP are placed on a budget billing plan with their utility company. Budget Billing is a tool that utility companies provide to help spread out year annual utility bills into even monthly payments to avoid spikes in your bill caused by seasonal fluctuations in energy use. Please check with your utility company on eligibility requirements and budget billing policy.

Arrearage Retirement Assistance helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive a grant for up to $2,000 towards their past due bill. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be considered eligible. Customers may only receive an arrearage grant once every five years, with certain exceptions. Arrearage grants received between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 will not count towards the five-year limitation.

Other OHEP services:

The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to protect low-income families from utility turn-offs during the heating season. All MEAP eligible customers may participate in USPP. Participation also requires a year-round even monthly budget billing. Failure to make consecutive payments may result in removal from USPP.

Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Services customer information is referred to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for programs that can provide improvements and repairs to homes at no cost. These improvements can help lower utility bills and make the home more comfortable. DHCD’s energy efficiency and weatherization programs support the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act. For more information, call 1-855-583-8976 or visit dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/EnergyEfficiency

Notice of Public Hearing

The Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs will be presenting the State Plan for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 and seeks public input on the plan. All interested individuals and organizations are invited to join the following sessions about the proposed LIHEAP State Plan.

Two teleconference meetings are available for public participation:

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 5:30PM- 7:30PM
(meeting link: https://meet.google.com/gjy-fuxq-zzi)

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 5:30PM- 7:30PM
(meeting link: https://meet.google.com/bqb-gokx-hpn)

Individuals and groups who are unable to attend these sessions may submit their written comments by email to katherine.natafgi@maryland.gov before July 28, 2023