BGE Reminds Customers to Apply for Bill Assistance Before the 2021-2022 Funding Year Ends on July 1, 2022

BALTIMORE, MD (May 26, 2022) – BGE reminds customers that millions of dollars of assistance funding from the state of Maryland remains available to assist those who may be challenged with paying their energy bills.

In addition to the extended payment arrangements and assistance BGE provides customers, the company works with customers to identify state and other funding that may be available to help customers meet their energy needs. In 2021, BGE helped almost 40,000 customers secure nearly $60 million in energy assistance, money that helps pay customer energy bills and does not need to be paid back.

“We encourage our customers to contact us so we can provide assistance to anyone who is eligible for support programs that could help them manage their energy costs, as well as help them understand their energy usage and how it impacts their bill,” said Denise Galambos, BGE’s senior vice president and chief customer officer. “We are here for our customers and want to help them take advantage of energy assistance if they need help with their bills.”

BGE will work with customers having difficulty paying their energy bill by helping enroll customers into available payment options, including:

Flexible payment arrangements that offer tailored payment plans
Extending payment periods for balances
Connecting customers with energy assistance funds

Millions of dollars in energy assistance remains available for customers. BGE works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), which provide financial assistance with gas and electric bills. Applications and additional information on eligibility can be downloaded from the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) website: dhs.maryland.gov/ohep. Customers can also call 800-332-6347 for more information.

Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:

EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) helps qualified customers with the installation of energy conservation materials and devices. It’s offered through the MD Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on this program, please call 855.583.8976.
The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program, also administered by OHEP, helps customers with large, past due electric or gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive grants of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help limited income families avoid a service disconnection for nonpayment. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.
The Fuel Fund of Maryland aims to be a lifeline for Maryland neighbors struggling with a home utility hardship. They help customers with assistance to pay a past-due utility bill if service is at risk. Applications, additional information on eligibility, and ways to donate can be found at the Fuel Fund of Maryland fuelfundmaryland.org/apply.
2-1-1 Maryland provides a link to community health and human service resources statewide, 24/7, in over 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1 for assistance in finding services such as childcare, employment, health care and insurance, emergency services and more.

Customers can contact BGE at 1-800-685-0123 to discuss payment arrangements or visit bge.com/billhelp to learn more about energy assistance options. The company also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at bge.com/WaysToSave.

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BGE is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility, providing safe and reliable energy delivery to more than 1.3 million electric customers and more than 690,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company was founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and remains headquartered in Baltimore City to this day. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation's leading energy utility company. Engage with the latest BGE stories on bgenow.com and connect with BGE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.