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Get Assistance
HAVE A TURN-OFF NOTICE? Call BGE immediately!!!!
- Dial 410-685-2200 then "1" OR dial 410-685-0123 then "0" for a customer service representative.
- Ask for more time to pay your bill; this is called a "personal extension" and is usually one week long.
You may be eligible to get help from the Fuel Fund if:
- You qualify for assistance from the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP).
- You have a turn-off notice for your gas or electric service or you are out of a bulk fuel such as heating oil.
- You have not received help from the Fuel Fund in the past 12 months.
How do you receive help from the Fuel Fund with your utility and heating bills?
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You apply for and receive a certification from the Office of Home Energy Programs. Then, when you have a turn-off notice, you call BGE to ask for a personal one-week extension.
- You make an appointment with your local office. When you go, bring your documents for the staff to see. The local fuel fund may get you a two-week extension from BGE if you need it.
- The amount due on your bill is divided into two parts:
- You pay part of the bill (from your own funds and/or charities).
- The Fuel Fund helps to pay the remainder of the bill.
- After the process is complete, you may receive an additional turn-off notice. (Please contact BGE, not the Fuel Fund, to inquire about this.)
- You make payments toward your current bill to avoid a turn-off.
To apply for help:
- Make sure you have called BGE (410-685-2200) to ask for more time to pay your bill.
- Call your local Fuel Fund office to make an appointment.
- Continue to pay toward your energy bill.
- Keep your appointment or call ahead to reschedule. Others are waiting for an appointment.
- To avoid processing delays, the following documents must be with you at your appointment:
- Turn-off notice and current utility bill or name of oil or bulk fuel company and account number
- Proof of prior 30 days total gross household income
- Lease, proof of mortgage, rent payment, tax bill or Section 8 certificate
- Photo ID
- Social Security card for every household member
- OHEP certified benefit letter for MEAP, EUSP and USPP
Continue to pay toward your bill. It may take 60 days for the Fuel Fund payment to clear.
What is the eligible income?
Income Eligibility Guidelines
Effective July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009
| Household Size |
Maximum Monthly Income Standards |
Maximum Yearly Income |
| 1 |
$1,734 |
$20,800 |
| 2 |
$2,334 |
$28,000 |
| 3 |
$2,934 |
$35,200 |
| 4 |
$3,534 |
$42,400 |
| 5 |
$4,134 |
$49,600 |
| 6 |
$4,734 |
$56,800 |
For each additional person, add $600 monthly or $7,200 yearly.
Income eligibility is determined by gross monthly and yearly income (before taxes are deducted).
Does your income exceed these guidelines?
The Fuel Fund program is flexible. For special circumstances involving extreme hardship, you may be eligible even if your income is over the limit. Call your local Fuel Fund for further information.
For information on how to apply to the Maryland Energy Assistance Program please click here.
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| The Way the Fuel Fund Works
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Across five Central Maryland counties and Baltimore City, the Fuel Fund helps families living on low-incomes, disability payments or fixed incomes like Social Security. Our goal is to keep our clients’ energy costs affordable, given that their incomes are not only substandard but also static.
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