Special Needs Program
Because customers with special needs are located throughout our service area, it is not possible to provide restoration priority to individual customers when there are extensive power outages. It must be the customer's responsibility to make appropriate arrangements such as portable generator, battery backup and a contingency plan, such as identifying places where to go for shelter or care in extreme emergencies. If you experience a power outage, please call BGE's power outage number at 1-877-778-2222.

However, BGE will attempt to contact those Special Needs customers with a serious illness or that are on life support to notify them of an upcoming planned outage or the possibility of an impending severe storm so the customer may implement their back-up plans.

Additionally, BGE will take extra steps to avoid or delay service termination for Special Needs customers. Special Needs customers with a serious illness or that are on life support may be eligible for a deferred payment plan to postpone disconnection for a 30 day period.

In order to participate, customers with a serious illness or that are on life support must have a physician submit the required certification forms. Handicapped customers must submit a copy of their state certification of disability. Elderly must submit proof of age and address. Please fax forms to 443-213-3302 or mail to:

Special Needs Room
720 PO Box 1475
Baltimore, Maryland 21298-9979

Customers requesting Special Needs status have 30 days to return the appropriate forms. During this 30-day period, no collection activity will occur for a customer scheduled to be disconnected because of non-payment.

Hospital Program
If you are in the hospital and worried that you won't be able to pay your BGE bill on time, contact a hospital social worker. The social worker will call BGE to delay collection action until you have returned home and recuperated.

Third-Party Notification
If you are ill, away from home for a long time or unable to handle your own affairs, you may designate a third party to be notified if your account is in danger of denial (i.e. the third party will receive the final turn-off notice). A third party can arrange payment or investigate on your behalf without any legal responsibility. If you are away from home for an extended period, arrangements can also be made to have your bills forwarded to a new address.