Assistance Programs
Help Paying Your Energy Bills Is Available
Struggling to pay your utility bill? Help is available. State-run programs offer financial assistance to income-eligible households for energy and gas bills. We encourage you to explore these options and apply if you qualify.
MEAP offers financial assistance specifically for your home heating bills. It works by making payments directly to your fuel supplier or utility company on your behalf, ensuring you stay warm during the colder months. To apply, download and print the Application for Energy Assistance, request a paper application by calling 1-800-332-6347, apply online through your OHEP account, or call your local office to schedule an in-person appointment.
If you’re struggling with your electric bills, EUSP can help by covering a portion of your current bills. Once you’re part of this program, you’ll be enrolled in a Budget Billing plan with your utility company, spreading your costs into even monthly payments.
USPP protects low-income families from having their utilities turned off during the heating season. If you’re eligible for MEAP, you can participate in USPP, which also requires enrolling in a year-round, even monthly budget billing. Be aware that failing to keep up with payments can lead to being removed from the program.
WAP helps make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable. If you apply for OHEP, you’re automatically referred to the Weatherization Assistance Program — you don’t have to do anything extra to be considered unless you choose to opt out. If you qualify, the WAP office will contact you before providing any benefits. WAP funds local community service organizations to help eligible low-income households with weatherization services, with priority given to homeowners who are elderly, disabled, or have children.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s MEEHA program promotes energy efficiency and housing affordability in affordable multifamily rental housing developments. MEEHA currently houses two programs: EmPOWER and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program (GHGRP).
When you apply for OHEP assistance, your information is passed on to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). DHCD offers programs that can fix up and improve your home at no cost, including cleaning and tuning up your furnace, adding insulation to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and providing energy-efficient light bulbs. These improvements can lower your utility bills and make your home more comfortable.
To apply for energy assistance programs, you can download and print the Application for Energy Assistance from the OHEP website, request a paper application by calling 1-800-332-6347, apply online by creating an account on the OHEP portal, or call your local OHEP office to schedule an in-person appointment.
Looking for Other Ways to Save?
Body: Rebates, tax credits, and 0% interest loans are also available to help Maryland residents afford energy-efficient home upgrades.