Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
FEDERAL
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-332-6347
Website
Online Application
https://mymdthink.maryland.gov
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts Website
LIHEAP FY 2024 Funding
$82,296,348
*including additional $1,886,028 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
175% Federal Poverty Level
LIHEAP FY 2024 Benefit
Heating: $120 minimum, $2,213 maximum
Cooling $120 minimum, $2,213 maximum
Crisis: $2,213
LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2023
Heating: 96,798
Year-round Crisis: 3,008
Weatherization: 336
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating & Cooling: October 1 - September 30
Crisis: November 1 - March 31
Weatherization: year-round
State/Local
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
Authorized through restructuring legislation, the EUSP includes current electric bill assistance, retirement of certain old bills, and weatherization services. Its funding of $34 million per year continues but is subject to annual review and approval by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) and the legislature. Eligibility: electricity customers with incomes at or below 150% FPL. Eligible customers may receive both EUSP and LIHEAP.
1-800-352-1446 1-800-925-4434 (TTY)
https://myohepstatus.org/
Universal Service Protection Program (USPP)
Available to LIHEAP recipients, USPP reduces and evens out monthly utility payments by subtracting the amount of the LIHEAP benefit from a customer's yearly bill and dividing the remainder by twelve months. Those who keep on payment plans are eligible for credits from some utilities
St. Mary and Prince George Counties
Local energy tax dollars are given in a rebate to low-income households in two counties. In St. Mary's County, a payment of $55 is sent to MEAP households. In Prince George's County, the MEAP grant is $72 per household.
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
The largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric, and many smaller utilities offer deposit, reconnect fee and application fee waivers to qualifying customers.
Allegheny Power
Call 1-800-255-3443 for information on energy assistance plans.
Washington Gas Light Company
Residential Essential Service (RES)
MEAP-eligible residents who use natural gas for home heating and who are current on their utility bills may be eligible to receive discounts on a portion of their Washington Gas bills during the winter heating season. The discount could be worth up to $135.
For more information, contact the Maryland Department of Human Resources Energy Hotline at 1-800-352-1446.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Allegheny Power
Call 1-800-255-3443 for information on energy assistance plans.
Columbia Gas
Low Income Weatherization Program
A free program, for customers with low incomes and higher gas usage, that identifies an energy picture of a home and takes action to seal up areas of heat loss.
To learn more about the LIW Program or start the application process, call the Allegany County's Energy Assistance Program at 301-777-8550 if you reside in Allegany County.
If you reside in Washington County, call Maryland Energy conservation Services, Inc. at 301-797-3822.
If you are unable to reach the LIW office, call 1-800-537-7431
https://www.directlinkeservices.com/md/md_fa_heatshare.html
Baltimore Gas and Electric
Income Limited Energy Efficiency Program
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is now administering The EmPOWER Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP).This program helps qualified customers with the installation of energy conservation materials.
For more information on this program, please call 1.855.583.8976.
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Fuel Fund of Maryland, Inc.
The Fuel Fund also helps customers that use oil or other fuel sources. FFCM is an umbrella organization comprised of local fuel funds in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.
www.fuelfundmaryland.org/get-assistance.shtml#contacts-start for local contacts.
www.fuelfundmaryland.org/
The Victorine Q. Adams Fuel Fund
The Victorine Q. Adams Fuel Fund (formerly the Baltimore City Fuel Fund) was organized in 1979 with a seed grant of $10,000 from Baltimore Gas and Electric. It pays up to $125 to clients facing shut-offs, provides utility credits toward arrearages and operates an emergency oil program, which provides 100 gallons of oil to eligible families at nominal cost.
Applications for assistance are taken through two Mayor's Crisis Resource Centers. Mayor's Crisis Center East 410-396-4433 Mayor's Crisis Center West 410-396-4777 Berlin Electric Energy Assistance Program Energy assistance for those who were not able to get help through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and are facing termination of service if they are not able to pay their bill. Community donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the town. Shore UP! will administer the program for Berlin.
410-749-1142
Chesapeake Utilities
Sharing Program
The Sharing Program assists elderly, disabled or fixed income households with winter heating costs.
Applications for the grants are available through Shore-Up at 410-749-1142.
Columbia Gas
- Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program
Eligible Customers, at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, receive a one-time grant applied directly to their bill.
Applicants should contact their local community action agency.
www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/application-process/ - HeatShare
Provides energy grants to customers for use in offsetting arrears or restoring service to terminated utility accounts. The fund is designed for customers with low incomes who have exhausted all other available energy assistance programs.
1-800-537-7431
www.directlinkeservices.com/nisource/portal/md/
Delmarva Power
Good Neighbor Fuel Fund
Delmarva matches customer contributions with a donation from shareholders. A household must first apply for LIHEAP. Funds are administered by the Salvation Army.
- Salisbury 410-749-3077
- Elkton 410-996-0241
- Bel Air 410-939-3535 x 22
http://www.delmarva.com/my-home/pay-my-bill/payment-assistance/support-and-assistance-programs/
Allegheny Power
Community Energy Fund
Funded by private donations in partnership with Allegheny Power. The program provides emergency assistance for energy and utility needs such as electricity, gas, wood, kerosene, and fuel oil. However, grants only will be provided for the primary heating sources.
- Frederick County, 301-694-2410
- Garrett County, 301-334-9431
- St. Mary's County, 301-274-4474
- Washington County, 301-797-4161
Southern Maryland Electric Coop
Tri-County Fuel Fund
Funded by the Southern Maryland Electric Company's Project Match, private donations and fund-raisers. The Fuel Fund provides assistance with electric, wood and fuel oil and serves 3 counties. Grants from this fund are given to an applicant who has received a utility termination notice and has applied for MEAP.
Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties, 301-274-4474
Washington Gas
Washington Area Fuel Fund
The Washington Area Fuel Fund, operated by the Salvation Army, aids customers who need assistance paying their home heating bills. Contact the Salvation Army in the following counties:
- Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's, 301-638-9532
- Frederick 301-662-2311
- Montgomery, 301-515-5354
- Prince George's, 301-277-6103