On June 29, 2020, Governor Hogan issued an amended Executive Order extending the prohibition on residential utility service terminations and late fees until August 1, 2020. This date is coming up fast so what does that mean for you?
It means that on August 1st, utility companies can charge you for the last four months of utility usage and late fees. If you had an outstanding bill before the moratorium was put in place, that amount would also be due. For more information about assistance, visit www.MontgomeryEnergyConnection.org.
Take these three steps to make sure your utility bills are not shut off:
Most utilities are providing assistance on a case by case basis so contact them NOW to see what you can do about your bill. Many utilities have Budget Billing and Customer Affordability Programs which are tools that utility companies provide to help spread out annual energy and water bills into even monthly payments. This helps you avoid spikes in your energy bill caused by seasonal fluctuations and unusual utility usage. Contact them TODAY!
If you have already contacted the utility and still need Energy Assistance, make sure you know how to apply. You can find more detailed information here at the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs.
Energy Assistance is a year round program. You can apply at any time during the year, but you can only receive benefits once each year and must reapply each fiscal year (July- June). If you received benefits between July 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020, you can reapply now for benefits that will be issued in July 2020.
If you are having trouble affording your utility or heating bill, you do not need a turn off notice to qualify for assistance. 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. All OHEP program eligibility is income-based and you do not need a turn off notice to qualify for assistance.
The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) makes energy costs more affordable, prevents the loss of home energy service, and helps restore interrupted service.
There are various types of assistance programs available to customers:
If you need help paying heating bills: You may qualify for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
If you are in danger of having your utility turned off: You may qualify for the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
If you need help paying electricity bills: You may qualify for the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
If you need help paying overdue bills: You may qualify for the Arrearage Retirement Assistance
Apply for all utility assistance programs HERE.
You can also request a Home Energy Program application:
I have applied for Government assistance with my utilities and was denied on 12/15/20 with no valid reason or explanation. I have been furlough from my job since 4/17/20 and have not been able to get work since. I have exhausted all my savings including my 401K just to make it to this point and now I have no funds to move forward. I cannot understand how you reach to the conclusion of denying my application when it clearly show I have no income for the past 9 months and have been barely getting by. Please get back to me ASAP with some explanation and any recommendations of how I can proceed Going forward. Thanks for sincere understanding regarding my current financial situation.
We will send you an email directly.