OHEP Programs

Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
Powering your home can take a toll on your budget.
State-funded programs are available to help you manage your energy bills.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Special rules apply to low-income (OHEP recipient) customers with retail gas or electric supplier. Please click here for more information.

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)

The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is OHEP’s heating assistance grant. This grant may be available to you once per program year (July-June). This grant is delivered to your heating or utility company in one lump sum, which is applied to your account in monthly installments.

Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)

The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) is OHEP’s electric assistance grant. This grant may be available to you once per program year (July- June). Customers who receive a EUSP grant will be enrolled in the BGE budget billing plan Budget Billing is a tool that eliminates monthly or seasonal variations in your utility bill by creating consistent and predictable monthly payments throughout the year.

Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA)

The Arrearage Retirement Assistance program (ARA) is a OHEP grant program that helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive a grant for up to $2,000 towards their past due bill. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be considered eligible.

Renters, homeowners, residents of public housing, sub-metered homes (where you pay another company, not the utility directly), Roomers/Boarders are all eligible to apply for energy assistance grants.

If you are having trouble affording your utility or heating bill, the Office of Home Energy Programs strongly encourages you to apply for assistance before you receive a turn-off notice so that funds can be applied to your account as soon as possible. You do not need a turn off notice to qualify for assistance.

Eligibility is based on income and household size. The following income eligibility limits apply from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Family Size (total number in household)	Income Eligibility Limits Effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 For households with no members 67 years of age or older at the time of application.	Income Eligibility Limits Effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 For households with one or more members 67 years of age or older at the time of application.
1	$1,982	$2,265
2	$2,670	$3,052
3	$3,359	$3,838
4	$4,047	$4,625
5	$4,735	$5,412
6	$5,424	$6,198
7	$6,112	$6,985
8	$6,800	$7,772
For Each Additional Person, Add	$688	$787

OHEP programs operate all year long. You can apply at any time during the year, but you can only receive benefits once each year and must reapply each program year (July- June).

Gather Required Documentation

You will need to include certain documentation with your application to OHEP for energy assistance. OHEP requires that you provide the following information with your application. To determine the specific types of documents that will satisfy OHEP’s application requirements, a full list of acceptable documents can be found on the OHEP website: Proof of Residency.

Identification – Photo ID (one or more of the following)

Driver’s license

Maryland ID

Employment ID

Green card

Proof of Residence (one or more of the following)

Lease/rent book

Current bills

Mortgage statement

Proof of Income (all of the following that apply)

Pay stubs for the last 30 days

Unemployment insurance check stubs

Benefit letter for government checks (i.e., TCA, SSI, SSDI, VA, Social Security)

TDAP

Pension benefits

Any other income

A source of income form

Social Security Cards

For all members of the household

For Heating Assistance

Bring your fuel bill along with the name, address and telephone number of the company that sells you fuel

You may be asked to provide additional documentation or complete additional forms as needed to determine your eligibility for the program

Apply online

You can apply online by visiting: myMDTHINK Programs & Services Portal (maryland.gov)

Contact Local Office Home Energy Programs (OHEP) Office

You can apply for OHEP Energy Assistance grants online, by phone, or by mailed application. Please visit the following site for a full list of options.

Community Based Organizations

Contact your local Community Based Organization to make an appointment to apply. Community Based Organization are local private and public nonprofit organizations that offer a range of services, including utility bill assistance, to support limited-income individuals and families. Your Community Based Organization will determine which program provides the best benefit.

Community Based Organizations

How To Videos

How long does it take?

Once your completed application is received, OHEP will process your application within 45 days. Average OHEP application processing times may vary by county.

How to check status of application?
You can check the status of your application by visiting the OHEP website Check my status
You can also check the status of your application by contacting the DHS customer call center at 1.800.332.6347
OHEP will contact you directly by mail regarding the final status of your application.

How will I receive assistance?
Once your assistance have been determined by OHEP, you’ll see a line item on your billing statement indicating the credit type and amount.

What can I do until assistance has been determined?
Until your application has been processed, you can contact BGE to make a payment or set up a payment arrangement through your BGE.com online account or over the phone by calling 800-685-0123. View all payment options by visiting Pay My Bill | Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (bge.com).

Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)

The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is a OHEP program designed to protect low-income families from service disconnection during the heating season. All MEAP eligible customers may participate in USPP. To participate in USPP, you must be enrolled in the BGE budget billing plan Failure to make consecutive budget billing payments may result in removal from USPP.