Get help with paying utility, gas and electric bills in Maryland
Learn about programs available in MD that help struggling people pay their utility bills. Options range from payment plans and relief options from electric and gas companies in Maryland to financial help from non-profits as well as government programs. Some of the utility assistance programs focus on preventing disconnections while other helps turn the power back on. Find details below on where to get utility bill help in Maryland with links to contact information.
In addition to utility companies in Maryland offering their own resources, many also have partnerships between local charities, non-profits, and social service agencies. The goal is to help low income families, with a focus on seniors and the disabled (among others) to keep their lights and power on. There is also additional money offered during the summer to pay electric bills or provide free air conditioners as well as winter heating assistance programs.
Government energy assistance programs in MD
Maryland Dollar Energy Fund can stop a disconnection when MEAP can’t help. Struggling families or single people in MD who have received a disconnect notice for their heating or utility service can receive a one time cash grant from this program. It is not a charity program, and applicants need to have shown that they were timely with their payments in the past. Learn more about Dollar Energy Fund.
The MEAP program (the state’s version of LIHEAP) and weatherization measures help very low-income Maryland families. State as well as federal government grants can be used to pay heating bills with assistance also offered to help pay for summer colling costs as part of MEAP. In addition, the free weatherization services can help residents save energy and money. The government also helps pay for air conditioners or to fix or repair a furnace. Learn more about MEAP grants and weatherization in MD.
- The Universal Service Protection Program (USPP) is available to MEAP (LIHEAP) recipients. It will reduce and also “even out monthly utility” bill payments as well as prevent a shut off during the winter months, when heating services is needed.. Those Maryland customers who keep on established payment plans may also be eligible for additional credits on their bills from some utilities. To apply call your utility company and refer to this program. It is also generally offered at the same time as the Maryland MEAP program.
- If you owe money on past due bills, another Maryland state program is the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP). It is a form of budgeting billing combined with financial help. The EUSP program currently includes current utility bill assistance in the form of retirement of certain old bills, and energy saving weatherization services. There is limited funding. Eligible customers may receive both EUSP and federal government MEAP grant money. Call 1-855-583-8976
The Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs has a website listed various programs too. Some of them are non-profit fuel banks and they also list MD specific charities and additional information on government resources to help pay bills. The website (https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/) has a number of tools for struggling residents.
- Government regulations protect against seasonal disconnections. Unfortunately thousands of people across Maryland are faced with a shut off of their energy, AC and heating services every year during extreme seasonal weather. Residents do have rights. Get information on utility service disconnection laws.
Winter gas and heating bill assistance is also coordinated by the government. When winter comes around, many Maryland families, in particular those on a fixed income, struggle to keep up with their heating costs. Several non-profit agencies and government organizations (as well as the programs referenced above and below) are available to provide financial help to low income, elderly, and struggling families. Find a listing of dedicated Maryland heating bill assistance programs.
Get help with energy, electric, and heating bills from utility companies in Maryland
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) has a number of financial assistance programs for low-income families. The utility company tries to help limit, or prevent, disconnections of gas - electric service for struggling customers. A major focus is on help senior citizens, the disabled and single moms or dads pay their electric bills. Programs include, but note are not limited too, the following.
- There are several programs available, including CAMP (Customer Assistance Maintenance Program) and the Income Limited Energy Efficiency Program. Credits, forgiveness of utility bills, and free conservation measures are offered as part of emergency help from BGE. Also seasonal assistance includes, but is not limited too, free air conditioners in the summer to a window fan, with units given to seniors or the disabled.
A number of other payment plans and financial resources are provided by BGE. There is immediate and long term help offered. Locate more Baltimore Gas and Electric assistance programs.
Berlin Electric helps people in the town. A charity program just known as Energy Assistance Program is offered. It provides utility bill assistance for those customers who were not able to get help through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program / LIHEAP. The funds are for people who are facing an imminent disconnection or termination of service if they are not able to pay their utility bill. Shore UP! will administer the program for Berlin Electric. Call them at 410-749-1142 or 410-641-2770.
Chesapeake Utilities operates in MD and provides financial help to low income families. The Sharing Program may be able to assist low income and fixed income households, such as the disabled or seniors, with winter heating costs. The company also fully supports state, federal, and regional government assistance programs.
- For example, low income customers in Maryland can apply for resources such as the Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Protection Program. The company will also forgive past due utility bills, offer payment extensions and other options for utility bills. Customer service representatives can advise families on their options. Call or 302-734-6799, or read more about Chesapeake Utilities Maryland programs that help pay billss
Columbia Gas provides year round utility help. The company administers the HeatShare program. This will provide grants to customers for use in offsetting arrears on their bills or provide funds for restoring service to terminated utility accounts. They also provide free energy conservation, including AC units, from the federal government funded Low Income Weatherization Program.
- The Maryland office of Columbia Gas provides other help for electric and gas bills. They include applications as well as a partnership with the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program. The utility company also offer payment plans in MD, one-time grant that can be applied directly to a low income families utility or heating bill as a form of forgiveness and morel. Potential applicants to the program need to contact their local community action agency. Or read more on Maryland Columbia Gas assistance programs.
Delmarva Power administers the Good Neighbor Fuel Fund as well as other financial assistance programs for seniors, the disabled and working poor. A household who is interested in the program must first apply for MEAP / LIHEAP government assistance first. Funds are administered by the Salvation Army as well as other charities.
- The company can also provide other aid. The energy company works closely with non-profits agencies across Maryland and they will refer customers to those local programs. They also offer applications to government benefits such as MEAP or offer their own programs to help people pay their light / electric bills or to pay reconnection costs. Cal l 800-375-5619 or 410-758-4102. Or learn more on assistance from Delmarva Power.
Fuel Fund of Maryland, Inc. may be able to help customers of the energy company that use heating oil or other fuel sources. FFCM is an umbrella organization comprised of local fuel funds and charities in Baltimore City and Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard and Carroll counties. Free grant money will help vulnerable customers (seniors, the disabled, single moms, etc.) pay their energy bills. Continue to learn details on the Maryland fuel fund.
Potomac Edison provides grant money to pay electric bills and free conservation programs. Financial assistance programs offered for low income customers, in addition to their own payment extensions, include Electric Universal Service Program, individual payment plans, and applications to the state of Maryland Energy Assistance Program / MEAP. They also offer emergency assistance for energy and utility needs such as gas, electricity, wood, kerosene, and fuel oil.
- Customer service representatives are willing to explore all available options in an effort to help struggling customers keep their electricity on. Click here for more information on Potomac Edison assistance programs.
Southern Maryland Electric Co-op (SMECO) customers can apply for the Tri-County Fuel Fund. The assistance program is funded by private donations, the Southern Maryland Electric Company's Project Match, charities and fund-raisers. They also help people with a disconnection and/or utility termination notice and that have applied for MEAP. Call (800) 686-0011.
The United Way of Maryland is a resources as well that lists additional programs for low-income MD households. Families facing a shut off of their gas or electricity service have other ways to get help. The Way gives tips and referrals to other financial resources for struggling families, including payment extension details from energy companies. The website is https://211md.org/resources/utility-assistance/.
Washington Gas is part of WGL. They offer provides gas and lighting assistance to low-income families. The Maryland and Washington Fuel Fund can help customers who need assistance paying their home heating bills. They also offer grant money to families facing a hardship, discounts plans, and other options. Call the company at 844-927-4427 or (703) 750-2000. Read more on payment plans as well as Washington Gas financial assistance programs.
Of course we have information / links to programs in Maryland that help pay utilities, but we also have a forum. There you can read details below and see what other residents are saying about utility assistance programs. All this is in the MD utility assistance discussion forum - where people share experiences and tips.
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