UTILITY BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: Provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. Applicants can check the status of their submitted MEAP application by visiting https://myohepstatus.org/

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), provides four separate grants, Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) ,Electrical Universal Service Program (EUSP), and the Arrearage Retirement Assistance ( ARA) and Gas Arrearage Retirement Assistance (GARA). Also, provides referrals to Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for energy efficiency improvements.

• Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides grants to eligible families, renters, roomers, boarders and homeowners toward the cost of heating in the winter and electricity year round. The grant is based on the type of fuel used, household size, household income and annual consumption.
• Electrical Universal Service Program (EUSP): Assists with electric utility bill payment. 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.
• Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA/GARA): Assists customers with large, past due electric and/or gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 towards their past due bills. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be considered eligible. Customers may only receive an arrearage grant once every seven years, with certain exceptions.
• DHCD Energy Efficiency Program: Refers income eligible Marylanders to Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)for energy efficiency programs. The energy efficiency improvements that may help reduce my overall utility consumption and utility bills.

Energy efficiency improvements such as, furnace clean and tune, added insulation, and energy efficient light bulbs are offered at no additional cost to income eligible Marylanders.

Households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits in Maryland are categorically eligible to receive energy assistance and do not need to complete an application or provide additional documentation. OHEP benefits to categorically eligible households will be issued after the SNAP and/or TCA redetermination is approved.

Effective October 1, 2024