Energy Assistance
The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides assistance to Maryland’s low-income households to help you stay warm, connected and help pay past due energy bills.
OHEP provides these separate grants:
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Provides financial assistance with home heating bills. Payments are made directly to the fuel supplier and energy company on the customer’s behalf.
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 annual utility bills into even monthly payments to avoid spikes in bills caused by seasonal fluctuations in energy use.
The utility bill needs to be in the client’s name, and the client needs to agree to budget billing for 12 months.
Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA)
Helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of 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 seven years.
Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
Protects 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.
Apply for Energy Assistance
Apply for Energy Assistance through Harford Community Action Agency.