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Benefit

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (OHEP)

Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs assistance covering heating, electric, and arrearage support for eligible households.

JJ Ben-Joseph
JJ Ben-Joseph
💰 Funding Grant amounts vary by household factors and program component (MEAP, EUSP, and arrearage assistance)
📅 Deadline Applications accepted year-round
📍 Location Maryland
🏛️ Source Maryland Department of Human Services
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Status Update (February 2026)

Maryland OHEP currently publishes FY26 income guidelines and accepts applications year-round.

Public OHEP materials describe interconnected support components including:

  • MEAP (heating assistance),
  • EUSP (electric assistance),
  • Arrearage assistance for qualifying past-due balances,
  • budget-billing/protection pathways.

FY26 Income Guidance Snapshot

OHEP currently lists monthly income limits by household size (for example, household size 1 at $2,608 and size 4 at $5,358 in FY26 tables). Always confirm current-year table before applying.

What This Program Does

OHEP grants are generally paid to utility or fuel vendors. The program helps reduce current bills and, where eligible, can address qualifying arrears.

Some related components have frequency limits (for example, arrearage grant cadence) and minimum past-due thresholds.

Maryland guidance also notes that households generally submit one application per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30), and most households must reapply each fiscal year to continue receiving support.

How to Apply

  1. Start through OHEP channels (online, local office, or approved submission routes).
  2. Submit complete household and income documentation.
  3. Include most recent utility/fuel records and termination notice if applicable.
  4. Track case status and respond to follow-up requests quickly.
  5. Verify utility posting when approved.

Common Mistakes

  • Using outdated income tables.
  • Not applying for related components (MEAP + EUSP + arrearage) when eligible.
  • Incomplete income proofs for all required household members.
  • Assuming grant approval automatically resolves all past-due balances.
  • Missing recertification or follow-up deadlines.

Practical Tips

  • Keep one annual energy-assistance folder for all documents.
  • Apply before peak winter arrears periods when possible.
  • Ask utility about budget billing while case is pending.
  • If arrears are high, ask specifically about arrearage-assistance eligibility.

Documents That Usually Matter Most

  • current utility/fuel bills,
  • identity and household records,
  • income proof for all required household members,
  • termination notice if crisis/disconnection risk exists.

Maryland OHEP processing is smoother when all component applications (MEAP/EUSP/arrearage) are submitted with one complete packet.

Follow-Up Workflow

After submission, check status on a fixed cadence and respond quickly to requests. Many households lose time because they assume silence means approval; in practice, missing one document request can pause all linked components.

Arrearage Strategy

If your account has substantial past-due balances, ask OHEP staff specifically about arrearage-assistance sequencing with MEAP/EUSP. Combining components correctly can prevent partial relief that still leaves shutoff risk.

State materials describe arrearage grants as limited-use support (with eligibility conditions such as minimum past-due thresholds and spacing between awards). Confirm your household’s arrearage timing and prior-award history with OHEP early so you can plan realistic payment outcomes.

Year-Round Intake Tip

Even with year-round applications, submitting before peak heating demand can materially improve timing. Early filing provides more room to resolve missing documents before winter shutoff pressure rises.

Fiscal-Year Reapplication Control

Maryland OHEP guidance explains that households generally receive one grant benefit per fiscal year and must reapply for the next year if support is still needed. Keep your prior approval notice, account posting records, and updated income packet ready before the new fiscal-year cycle to avoid avoidable gaps.

Official Sources