LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2006 Heating)
89,108
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: July 1 - March 31
Crisis: November 16 - March 31
State/Local
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
Authorized through restructuring legislation, the EUSP includes current electric bill assistance, retirement of certain old bills, and weatherization services. Its funding of $34 million per year continues but is subject to
annual review and approval by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) and
the legislature. Eligibility: electricity customers with incomes at or below 150% FPL. Eligible customers may receive both EUSP and LIHEAP.
1-800-352-1446
1-800-925-4434 (TTY) www.dhr.state.md.us/how/energy/eusp.htm
Project Energy Assistance
A comprehensive state plan to help Maryland's
working families with their energy costs. Project Energy Assistance extends the
income eligibility requirements to include homes with annual income levels up to
200% of the poverty level, which is $40,000 for a family of four. Applications
for the program were taken from January 15 to March 31, 2006. For more
information, call 1-800-352-1446 or call the energy hotline 866-900-3637. www.energy.state.md.us/energyassistance/projectea.htm
Universal Service Protection Program (USPP)
Available to LIHEAP recipients, USPP reduces and evens out monthly utility payments by subtracting the amount of the LIHEAP benefit from a customer’s yearly bill and dividing the remainder by twelve months. Those who keep on payment plans are eligible for credits from some utilities (see below). www.dhr.state.md.us/how/energy/uspp.htm
Transitional Emergency, Medical, and Housing Assistance (TEMHA) 11
Low-income households of adult disabled persons are paid monthly with TEMHA 11 funds, of which $40 is designated to energy assistance. Contact the nearest local Department of Social Services. www.dhr.state.md.us/how/srvadult/temha.htm
Local energy tax dollars are given in a rebate to low-income households in two counties. In St. Mary's County, a payment of $55 is sent to MEAP households. In Prince George's County, the MEAP grant is $72 per household.
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
The largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric, and many smaller utilities offer deposit, reconnect fee and application fee waivers to qualifying customers.
Baltimore Gas and Electric
Customer Assistance Maintenance Program (CAMP)
Under the CAMP, customers who participate in the Universal Service Protection Program can qualify to earn monthly bill credits ranging from $7 to $12. The amount of credit is based upon income.
410-685-0123 in Baltimore, or 1-800-685-0123 outside Baltimore www.bge.com/portal/
Allegheny Power
Call 1-800-255-3443 for information on energy assistance plans.
Washington Gas Light Company
Residential Essential Service (RES)
MEAP-eligible residents who use natural gas for home heating and who are current on their utility bills may be eligible to receive discounts on a portion of their Washington Gas bills during the winter heating season. The discount could be worth up to $135. For more information, contact the Maryland Department of Human Resources Energy Hotline at 1-800-352-1446.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Allegheny Power
Call 1-800-255-3443 for information on energy assistance plans.
Columbia Gas
Low Income Weatherization Program
A free program, for customers with low incomes and higher gas usage, that identifies an energy picture of a home and takes action to seal up areas of heat loss.
To learn more about the LIW Program or start the application process, call the
Allegany County's Energy Assistance Program at 301-777-8550 if you reside in
Allegany County. If you reside in Washington County, call Maryland Energy
conservation Services, Inc. at 301-797-3822. If you are unable to reach the LIW
office, call 1-800-537-7431 www.directlinkeservices.com/nisource/portal/md/
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Delmarva Power (Conectiv)
Good Neighbor Fuel Fund
Delmarva matches customer contributions with a donation from shareholders. A household must first apply for LIHEAP. Funds are administered by the Salvation Army.
Salisbury 410-749-3077
Elkton 410-996-0241
Bel Air 410-939-3535 x 22
www.delmarva.com/home/billing/payment/support/default.aspx
Fuel Fund of Central Maryland, Inc.
BG&E gives $1 in bill credits for every $2 paid by the customer and the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland (FFCM). The Fuel Fund also helps customers that use oil or other fuel sources. FFCM is an umbrella organization comprised of local fuel funds in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. local contacts
The Victorine Q. Adams Fuel Fund
The Victorine Q. Adams Fuel Fund (formerly the Baltimore City Fuel Fund) was organized in 1979 with a seed grant of $10,000 from Baltimore Gas and Electric. It pays up to $125 to clients facing shut-offs, provides utility credits toward arrearages and operates an emergency oil program, which provides 100 gallons of oil to eligible families at nominal cost. Applications for assistance are taken through two Mayor’s Crisis Resource Centers.
Mayor’s Crisis Center East 410-396-4433
Mayor’s Crisis Center West 410-396-4777
Allegheny Power
Community Energy Fund
Funded by private donations in partnership with Allegheny Power. The program provides emergency assistance for energy and utility needs such as electricity, gas, wood, kerosene, and fuel oil. However, grants only will be provided for the primary heating sources.
Frederick County, 301-694-2410
Garrett County, 301-334-9431
St. Mary's County, 301-274-4474
Washington County, 301-797-4161
Columbia Gas
HeatShare
Provides energy grants to customers for use in offsetting arrears or restoring service to terminated utility accounts. The fund is designed for customers with low incomes who have exhausted all other available energy assistance programs.
1-800-537-7431 www.directlinkeservices.com/nisource/portal/md/
Southern Maryland Electric Coop
Tri-County Fuel Fund
Funded by the Southern Maryland Electric Company's Project Match, private donations and fund-raisers. The Fuel Fund provides assistance with electric, wood and fuel oil and serves 3 counties. Grants from this fund are given to an applicant who has received a utility termination notice and has applied for MEAP.
Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties, 301-274-4474
Washington Gas
Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF)
Operated by the Salvation Army, the fund aids customers who need assistance paying their home heating bills. WAFF funds are available January 1 through May 30. Contact the Salvation Army in the following counties for assistance: Montgomery, 301-515-5354; Prince George's, 301-277-6103; Calvert and Charles, 301-934-2582; and St. Mary's, 301-769-2788. www.washgas.com/library/general/documents/WAFFBrochure2008_web.pdf
