BGE Encourages Limited Income Customers to Attend Energy Assistance Expo Friday at Israel Baptist Church for Assistance with Grant Applications

Limited income customers encouraged to attend and speak with representatives from BGE, the Maryland and Baltimore Offices of Home Energy Programs, Fuel Fund of Maryland and the Baltimore City Community Action Partnership

BALTIMORE (Feb. 27, 2013) – In an effort to assist eligible, limited income customers with applying for energy assistance grants, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) will be participating in an Energy Assistance Expo with the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), the Fuel Fund of Maryland, the Baltimore City Office of Home Energy Programs and the Baltimore City Community Action Partnership this Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Israel Baptist Church, located at 1220 N. Chester Street, Baltimore, Md. 21213.

“It is extremely important that customers reach out to BGE before finding themselves in a crisis, so that we can work together in helping them manage their energy needs,” said Carol Dodson, vice president and chief customer officer, BGE. “Limited income customers are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Energy Assistance Expos to speak with representatives that can help them apply for funding to help with their energy bills. The grants available can help address past-due amounts as well as future payments. Additionally, to assist customers with higher-than-normal winter heating bills, we are offering customers retroactive enrollment into our Budget Billing program, which spreads payments out over a 12 month period so customers aren’t as affected by seasonal increases in usage.”

This event is intended for customers who live in Baltimore City. Customers seeking additional assistance information are urged to contact the Baltimore City Central OHEP Office, located at 2700 N. Charles Street, Suite 202, Baltimore, Md. 21218. Additionally, customers can call 410-396-5555.

For eligibility, use the chart below. If a customer’s most recent monthly income is less than or equal to the amount below, they may be eligible for energy assistance and help with energy bills. Customers do not need to have a turn-off notice to apply for energy assistance.

Household Size Maximum Monthly Gross Income
1. $1,675.62

2. $2,261.87

3. $2,848.12

4. $3,434.37

5. $4,020.62

6. $4,606.87

For each additional person in the household, add $586.25.

Customers applying for energy assistance should bring the following with them for processing:

Government-issued photo identification 
Proof of residence (lease, rent book, mortgage statement)
Copies of Social Security Cards for all household members, including children 
Proof of all of your household’s total gross income for the last 30 days (from all sources of income) 
The name of your home energy supplier and account number 
A copy of your most recent utility bill

While energy assistance events are held periodically throughout the year, qualifying customers can apply for grants at any OHEP office during normal business hours. Additionally, customers who need aid beyond the OHEP grant may contact the Fuel Fund of Maryland as well as other community based organizations. For more information on state income guidelines and for information on where and how to apply for assistance, contact the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) at 800-352-1446. Residents of Baltimore City should call 410-396-5555.

Additional Resources for Customers:
Community Resource Guide (formally known as ―The Purple Book) – A collection of resources and information about assistance programs of all kinds – federal, state and local, as well as programs from BGE and non-profit providers. The Guide is available in English and Spanish.

Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) - EUSP is a state program that helps qualifying limited-income customers pay the electric portion of their bills. MEAP provides a grant for qualifying limited-income customers regardless of their heating source. Customers may apply for either or both programs anytime during the year. The programs provide bill payment assistance, resolution of past utility debts and selected weatherization services to make residences more energy efficient. Call 800-352-1446 for information. EUSP and MEAP applications and brochures can be downloaded from the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) website. Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) - Customers who enroll in either EUSP or MEAP are eligible to enroll in the

Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)- provides a means for limited-income customers who qualify and comply with the payment terms of the USPP agreement to protect their utility service. Call 800.352.1446 for information about the USPP, or visit the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) website.

BGE Smart Energy Savers Program – BGE offers a host of empowering choices to help customers conserve energy, save money and protect the environment.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - If you qualify for MEAP, you may also be eligible to receive weatherization services through the Weatherization Assistance Program. Ask about weatherization when you apply for your energy assistance grant or contact your local weatherization office, at 800-638-7781, or visit them online: Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program.

Fuel Fund of Maryland - BGE works with the Fuel Fund to make bill assistance available to eligible households. BGE provides customer-funded matching credits for customers who apply for and receive help from the Fuel Fund. For more information, including where to apply, call the Fuel Fund at 410-821-3022, or visit them online: Fuel Fund of Maryland.

2-1-1 Maryland – 2-1-1 Maryland provides a link to community health and human service resources statewide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1 to find assistance when you or someone you know needs help, from child care, jobs, health care, and insurance — to emergency services to help you in times of disaster or crisis.

In direct response to spikes in customer usage from extreme temperatures, BGE is now offering customers an opportunity to enroll in a retroactive Budget Billing program to assist customers with higher-than-normal energy bills. For customers who have up to $500 in arrearages, the company is allowing those customers to enroll in the new retroactive Budget Billing program as well to help alleviate the increase from the current colder-than-normal winter season.

Customers who may have more than $500 in arrearages are encouraged to call BGE to discuss their payment options as well. Limited income customers are strongly encouraged to apply for energy assistance before they are in crisis. For more information, call BGE or contact the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) at 800.352.1446. Residents of Baltimore City should call 410.396.5555. Grants can help address past-due amounts as well as future payments. Learn more at bge.com/financialassistance.

Customers should never wait until they are in trouble to seek assistance. For information on financial and billing assistance, visit bge.com. BGE customers are also encouraged to enroll in the utility’s Budget Billing program which spreads payments out over a 12-month period so customers aren’t as affected by seasonal increases in usage. To see the locations of other scheduled BGE Community Outreach activities, visit bge.com/communitycalendar.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2012 revenues of approximately $23.5 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.