OVERVIEW: Offers home energy programs that assist low income Maryland residents with paying utility bills. Provides
grants to eligible families, renters, roomers, boarders and homeowners toward the cost of heating in the winter and electricity year round. Grant is based on the type of fuel used, household size, household income and annual consumption.

SERVICES:
1) MARYLAND ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MEAP): Provides assistance grant to help with home heating bills. Payments are made directly to the fuel supplier and utility company on client's behalf.

2) ELECTRICAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM (EUSP): Assists residents with paying current electric utility bill, past due bills and assist with energy efficiency measures to reduce future electric bills. Client is required to have bill in his/her own name and be on a monthly budget billing plan. Some funds are available for a one time only benefit for past due bill payments.

3) UTILITY SERVICE PROTECTION PROGRAM (USPP): Protects low income families from utility cut-offs and allows MEAP eligible households to enter in a year round budget billing program.

ELIGIBILITY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR MEAP and ELECTRIC UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM GRANTS: Maryland residents whose gross monthly household incomes are within the following limits, July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015.

FAMILY SIZE           GROSS MONTHLY INCOME       MAXIMUM YEARLY
          1                                  $1,702                             $20,423
          2                                  $2,294                             $27,528
          3                                  $2,886                             $34,633
          4                                  $3,478                             $41,738
          5                                  $4,070                             $48,845
          6                                  $4,662                             $55,843
Each additional person, add    $586.25                        $7,035.50

 If a caller is slightly over the Maximum Monthly Income Standards, lives on a fixed income, and has significant out of pocket medical expenses, they may still qualify for OHEP programs (MEAP & EUSP) by asking for a medical waiver. The OHEP worker would be able to assist them with this.

APPLICATION: Need to submit a copy of photo identity, proof of residence, copies of Social Security cards for all household members (including children), proof of household's total gross income for 30 days prior to application date (from all sources), name of home energy supplier and account number, a copy of the most recent utility bill and a copy of the lease (if renting).