Governor Wes Moore announced that approximately 200,000 Maryland households will receive increased assistance with their utility bills beginning July 1 through a major expansion of the state’s energy assistance programs administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services.
Under the changes, Maryland residents applying through the Office of Home Energy Programs will see benefits increase by up to 32%, expanded eligibility requirements and a simplified application process. State officials said the new benefit structure is designed to cover up to 55% of annual heating costs and up to 47% of electric bills for eligible households, with lower-income families receiving the largest increases in assistance.
The state will also distribute $48 million in supplemental Electric Universal Service Program grants through September to help eligible households pay electric bills. In addition, Maryland is launching a new Maryland Fuel Assistance program aimed at providing support to immigrant families who are not eligible for federally funded energy assistance programs.
