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)
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/?page_id=4326
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
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.
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/?page_id=4326
St. Mary and Prince George Counties
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.
Emergency Charitable Assistance
- 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 - Fuel Fund of Maryland, Inc.
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.
www.fuelfundmaryland.org/get-assistance.shtml#contacts-start for local contacts.
www.fuelfundmaryland.org/ - Washington Area Fuel Fund
The Washington Area Fuel Fund, operated by the Salvation Army, aids customers who need assistance paying their home heating bills. Contact the Salvation Army in the following counties: Montgomery, 301-515-5354; Prince George's, 301-277-6103; Calvert and Charles, 301-645-1561 and St. Mary's, 301-769-2788.
www.pepco.com/_res/copy%20of%20documents/lines_aug-06_md.pdf - 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
