Maryland Energy Assistance Programs

Get help paying your electric bill in Maryland

If you’re a Maryland resident trying to make sense of help paying your utility bills—heating, electric, or fuel—this page is for you. Across the state, assistance is provided through a combination of federal, state, and utility-level efforts, all centrally managed, in large part, by the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) within the Maryland Department of Human Services. Many of the programs you’ll see below require you to apply directly through OHEP or your local Home Energy Program office.

Understanding how these pieces fit together—from federal grants to state-administered programs to utility and charitable support—can help you act strategically and efficiently to manage your bills. Below, we walk you through the key program levels, how they work, eligibility, where to apply, and what to ask your utility.

Federal Energy Assistance Programs in MD

These are funding sources provided by the U.S. federal government, but in Maryland, they are often administered via state or local offices through OHEP.

1. Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Also known as the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), LIHEAP helps income-eligible households pay for home heating and cooling costs. Benefits are paid directly to your utility or fuel supplier on your behalf through Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP).

Eligibility: Based on household income and size, following federal poverty guidelines.

How to apply: Apply through your local OHEP office or online at MarylandBenefits.gov. You can also mail or drop off your application at your local Department of Human Services office.

2. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

WAP helps qualifying Maryland households lower their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Services may include free insulation, air sealing, energy-efficient lighting, and upgrades to heating or cooling systems.

Eligibility: Based on household income and participation in programs like MEAP or LIHEAP.

How to apply: Applications are managed through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Visit the DHCD Weatherization page to find your local agency and begin your application.

State-Regulated Energy Assistance Programs for Maryland Residents

1. Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)

MEAP is the primary name used in Maryland for the energy-grant program that helps households with their home heating bills. It is primarily funded by the federal LIHEAP block grant, though noted as “Maryland”—hence MEAP.

Benefits: Direct grant payments are made to your fuel supplier (for oil/bulk fuel) or utility company (for electric/gas) on your behalf.

Who’s Eligible and How to Apply:

• Apply via OHEP year-round—you don’t need to wait for a shut-off notice.
• Income guidelines for FY26: e.g., 1-person household monthly income limit is about $2,608; 2-person household $3,525; and 3-person household $4,441; etc.
• Application methods: online via MarylandBenefits.gov, mail/drop-box, or in-person at your local Home Energy Program office.

2. Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)

EUSP is the state-specific electric-bill assistance program under OHEP. It is designed to make monthly electric costs more affordable for eligible households.

Benefits: A grant is applied directly to your electric utility account (once per program year) to reduce your current or future bills. Some utilities may require you to enroll in Budget Billing to receive the full benefit.

Who’s Eligible and How to Apply:

• Income-based eligibility via OHEP.
• You may need to enroll in a Budget Billing payment plan with your utility to participate.
• Applications are submitted through OHEP in the same way as MEAP.

3. Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA)

ARA is designed to help eligible customers with large, past-due electric and/or gas bills (arrearages) that have accumulated.

Benefits: A one-time grant (up to state-determined maximum) towards outstanding balances. For example, up to $2,000 for past-due electric bills and up to $1,000 for past-due gas bills.

Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

• Usually, for accounts with a past-due bill of at least $300 or more.
• Grant recipients may only use this benefit once every five years (with some exceptions).
• Apply via OHEP during the same application process.

4. Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)

USPP is a key protective measure designed to prevent low-income Maryland families from having their utility service disconnected during the winter heating season (typically November 1 to March 31).

Benefits: Enrolling in USPP gives you winter-season protection from turn-off. If you qualify for MEAP, strongly consider enrolling in USPP to avoid the risk of disconnection.

Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

• Available to all households eligible for MEAP.
• To participate, you must maintain year-round Budget Billing (even monthly payments) with your utility. Failure to keep up with payments may result in removal from USPP.

Utility and Charitable Programs for Energy Assistance

Beyond federal and state programs, Maryland residents have access to additional support from utilities and nonprofit and charitable funds. These can enhance or fill gaps in available assistance.

Eligibility: Typically based on household income and participation in other assistance programs like MEAP or EUSP. Some programs are limited to specific utility service areas.

1. Utility-Specific Programs

Many utilities participate in the state’s energy‐efficiency landscape under the EmPOWER Maryland initiative. For low-income customers, there are dedicated programs to install energy-saving measures.

For example, the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) administered by DHCD under EmPOWER provides installation of energy conservation measures at no cost for eligible households. Utilities also offer flexible payment options, deferred payment agreements (DPA), and budget billing plans for customers struggling to pay.

How to Apply: Contact your utility provider (e.g., BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison) to inquire about payment plans, budget billing, or energy-efficiency upgrades offered through EmPOWER Maryland.

2. Fuel Fund of Maryland

This is a private, nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance for heating or cooling bills to eligible Maryland residents—typically after other government assistance programs (such as MEAP/EUSP) have been applied.

How to Apply: Apply through the Fuel Fund of Maryland after applying for all available government assistance programs. You can also dial 2-1-1 or visit 211md.org for help finding local energy assistance and charitable programs.

Action Checklist: How to Move Forward

Here’s a step-by-step summary for Maryland residents seeking energy assistance:

1. Verify your eligibility:

• Check your household income against the OHEP income guidelines (for MEAP/EUSP).
• Confirm the utility or fuel supplier is eligible with OHEP (most major utilities in Maryland participate).
• Note: You do not need a shut-off notice to apply.

2. Gather required documents

• Photo ID
• Proof of residence (lease, mortgage statement)
• Social Security cards for household members
• Proof of gross income for the last 30 days
• Most recent utility/heat bill or receipt

3. Apply for state programs via OHEP

• Choose from MEAP (heating), EUSP (electric), ARA (arrearages), and USPP (turn-off protection).
• An application can be submitted online at MarylandBenefits.gov, by mail/drop box, or in person.
• Once approved, benefits are paid directly to your utility or fuel supplier.

4. Check for utility/efficiency programs

• Contact your utility provider (e.g., BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison) to ask about EmPOWER/LIEEP programs for no-cost home energy upgrades.
• Ask about payment plans or budget billing if bills are large or fluctuate.

Your Next Step Toward Lower Bills

Maryland offers a strong network of programs to help households manage energy costs and prevent service interruptions. From OHEP grants to utility and nonprofit aid, there are multiple ways to get support, but it all starts with applying early and exploring every option available.

Another way to make your energy bills easier to manage is to ensure you’re on the most affordable plan. Use ElectricityRates.com’s comparison tools, along with our guide to electricity rates in Maryland, to quickly research, find, and switch to the best electricity rate available in your area, keeping more money in your pocket each month.