Energy and Utility Assistance

About

This guide connects residents to year-round bill relief, past-due debt forgiveness, emergency shut-off prevention, water bill discounts, and free home energy-saving programs available across all levels of government and community partners.

US Federal Resources

Federal Energy Tax Credits and IRA Rebates

  • Federal tax credits and home energy rebates (via the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) that offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient appliances, heat pumps, and home insulation.

  • Click here for more information.

Maryland State Resources

Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)

  • Maryland’s primary utility assistance portal. Provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. Applying once gives you access to four key grants:

    • MEAP (Maryland Energy Assistance Program): Helps pay home heating bills.

    • EUSP (Electric Universal Service Program): Helps pay electric bills and offers budget billing.

    • Arrearage Retirement Grant: Provides up to $2,000 to eliminate past-due electric bills and $1,000 for past-due gas bills.

    • USPP (Utility Service Protection Program): Protects low-income households from winter utility turn-offs.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

  • The largest residential energy conservation program in the country, administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Maryland’s WAP assists income-eligible homeowners and renters in our state by reducing heating and cooling costs through energy-conservation measures, while also addressing health and safety issues in their homes.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

EmPOWER Maryland (Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program - LIEEP)

  • Administered through DHCD, offering eligible low-income homeowners and renters free home energy audits, furnace tune-ups, and energy-saving improvements.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Baltimore City Local Resources

Baltimore City Community Action Partnership (BCCAP)

  • Operates five community-based CAP centers that administer the city’s energy, water and rental assistance programs and collaborate across the community to connect families to the resources they need to move toward financial stability.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Baltimore City Water4All Program

  • Water billing discount program designed to create more equitable access to water assistance for more Baltimore City residents.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) Budget Billing

  • Spreads annual energy costs into predictable, equal monthly payments year-round.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Fuel Fund of Maryland

  • A safety-net nonprofit providing emergency utility grants to BGE customers who have an active shut-off notice or past-due balance after applying for state aid.

  • Click here for more information and details on how to apply.