Find Utility Assistance Near Me (Heat, Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)
Get help paying a utility bill and avoid having your service cut off.
This guide to utility assistance helps Marylanders navigate the sometimes confusing maze of assistance programs. We’ll explain how to apply, the necessary verification documents, and common mistakes to avoid.
Dial 211 at any time for help connecting to these community resources.
Maryland Energy Assistance
Over 100,000 Maryland households benefit from energy assistance from the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) each year. The money does not have to be paid back.
Additionally, receiving energy assistance will not affect other public benefits, including but not limited to food stamps or Social Security benefits.
This guide details how to apply for general utility assistance through OHEP, but there are additional grants available specifically for these utility services:
- heat
- electricity
- past-due accounts and weatherization
- water assistance program (separate from the standard utility assistance program and application.)
Common Utility Resources
Search the 211 Community Resource Database for common utility assistance programs. You can also always dial 211 to speak to someone and get connected.
Get Help Paying Utility Bills
These eight steps guide you through the process of obtaining assistance with paying your utility bill. Most of these steps walk you through the OHEP process. There are additional resources if you don’t qualify for an OHEP grant.
Click on each section for detailed help.
1. Find out if you qualify for help.
2. Gather the documents you’ll need.
3. Apply for help by filling out the application.
4. Review your application for common mistakes.
5. Get local help with the application, if needed.
6. Check the status of your utility application.
1. Who Qualifies For Utility Help?
First, OHEP programs are income-eligible. These are the latest income guidelines for help paying your Maryland utility bill.
FY26 Income Guidelines for MEAP and EUSP
Household Size - Monthly Income Limits
- 1 - $2,608
- 2 - $3,525
- 3 - $4,441
- 4 - $5,358
- 5 - $6,275
- 6 - $7.191
- 7 - $8,108
- 8 - $9,025
- 9 - $9,942
- 10 - $10,859
- 11+ - Contact your Local OHEP Office
Income guidelines change yearly. Go here to learn more.
Don't Qualify? Help is still available
If you don’t meet the income guidelines for the OHEP program, call the utility company and ask for a payment plan or consider other community resources.
Go to steps 7 and 8 for more on these options.
You can also dial 211 to get connected to a caring and compassionate person who can guide you through the next steps or help connect you to other assistance programs.
2. Documents You’ll Need To Apply For Energy Help
If you’re applying online, you can upload your documents. So, gathering everything before you start your application is a good idea.
You’ll need the following documents:
- Copy of the applicant’s photo identification. Note: the applicant must be the same as the name on the utility bill.
- Proof of residence (lease, mortgage statement, etc.)
- Social Security card copies for all household members.
- Proof of ALL gross income received in the last 30 days, for the household.
- Copy of your most recent utility bill or termination notice (if applicable).
- A copy of your most recent heating bill or receipt (if applicable).
3. Filling Out The OHEP Application
Ready to fill out an application for energy assistance?
On the application, pay attention to the different grants. That way you know which box to check on the application. These are the OHEP grants:
- Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) – helps with heating bills
- Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) – helps with electric bills
- Arrearage Retirement Assistance – helps with large, past due electric and gas bills
Additionally, these programs are available:
- Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) – protects low-income families from utility turn-off during the winter heating season. All MEAP eligible customers can participate in USPP.
- Weatherization programs to help make home improvements to lower utility costs.
Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel has a quick video detailing how to fill out the application the right way. Taking the time to understand the form, the boxes you should check and any guideline rules will help you get the financial support you need.
You can also read their guide to making energy costs more affordable. Read it in English or Spanish.
Find Resources Now
Find community resources for food, health care, housing and more in our database. Search by ZIP code.
4. Review Your Application For Common Mistakes
Take the time to go through the application carefully, and the documents you’ll need to apply so you can get utility payment relief. There are common mistakes found on OHEP applications. Consider these questions before submitting your application:
- Is the electric bill in the same name as the applicant for utility assistance?
- Did you complete every section of the application?
- Is the application signed and dated?
- Do you have all your documents uploaded or attached to the application?
- Are all household members included on the form?
- Did you include all your income for the past 30 days?
5. Get Local Help with the Application
There are local home energy program offices throughout Maryland that can provide assistance with the application process and qualifications.
Dial 211
Talk to a caring and compassionate person 24/7. They can also connect you to resources.
6. Check The Status Of Your Application
It can take three to four weeks to be notified of eligibility for an OHEP grant.
A letter will be sent in the mail, and funds will be sent to the utility company.
How much money will I get?
Wondering how OHEP makes the grant determination? It depends on the program to which you applied.
There are a number of factors for MEAP, including:
- Type of fuel
- Household income
- Location of your residence.
For electric service payment help or EUSP, the applications are determined by:
- Household income
- Electric use in the past 12 months
For the Arrearage Retirement Assistance, it depends on the amount you’re in arrears. The maximum award is $2,000 every seven years, with exceptions.
7. Call Your Utility Company To Avoid A Shut-Off Notice
Take every step you can to avoid termination. You can work out a 12-month payment plan with your utility company.
There are also assistance programs specific to utility service providers. Check with your utility company to see if they have additional financial assistance.
The energy assistance options for each utility company are provided below:
- BGE – 800-685-0123
- Pepco – 202-833-7500
- Delmarva Power – 800-375-7117
- Potomac Edison – 800-686-0011
- Columbia Gas 888-927-4427
- SMECO 888-4440-3311
- Washington Gas – 844-927-4427
Long-Term Utility Help
Check with your utility about long-term utility assistance. You may qualify for a home energy audit, installation of energy-saving devices and other energy-saving home improvements like air sealing, insulation, door repairs and more.
There are also weatherization programs.
8. Additional Options
The Salvation Army may also be able to help with emergency financial assistance for utility bills, among a number of other things. Services and assistance vary by Salvation Army.
Fuel Fund
If your grant doesn’t cover the entire cost of your utility bill and you’re still struggling to pay the balance, there may be additional options for help.
The Fuel Fund of Maryland helped more than 8,900 Marylanders last year. Their goal is to help low-income households remain self-sufficient and continue their well-being. Funds are only available once every 12 months, for BGE and bulk fuel customers.
In general, the fund helps BGE customers who have:
- an active turn-off notice or their utility services were already turned off.
- Residents who applied for energy assistance since July 1st of that year.
- Meet income requirements.
- Have not received Fuel Fund help in the last 365 days.
The fund helps Bulk Fuel customers who:
- Are nearly or already out of bulk fuel.
- Need help between November and March.
- Completed an application for energy assistance since July 1st of that year.
- Meet the income requirements.
- Have not used the Fuel Fund in the last 365 days.
There may be additional eligibility requirements.
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