Energy Assistance provides financial support to income-eligible households to help you stay warm and connected. This is a year-round program, and you don’t need to have a crisis to qualify. You may apply at any time, but you may only receive benefits once each year. You must reapply each fiscal year (July-June). 
There are four types of Energy Programs:
MEAP
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides grants to assist with home heating bills. Payments are made to fuel suppliers and utility companies on behalf of the customer.
EUSP
The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) provides financial assistance with electric bills. Eligible customers receive help that pays a portion of their current electric bills. Customers who receive EUSP are placed on a budget billing plan with their utility company. Budget Billing is a tool that utility companies provide to help spread out annual utility expenses into even monthly payments to avoid costly spikes caused by seasonal fluctuations in energy use.
Arrearage
Arrearage Retirement Assistance helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive a grant for up to $2,000 towards their past due bill. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be considered eligible. Customers may only receive an arrearage grant once every five years, with certain exceptions. Arrearage grants received between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 will not count towards the five-year limitation.
USPP
The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to protect low-income families from utility turn-offs during the heating season. All MEAP eligible customers may participate in USPP. Participation also requires a year-round even monthly budget billing. Failure to make consecutive payments may result in removal from USPP.
Who is eligible for assistance?
In addition to the income eligibility requirements, renters, homeowners, residents of public housing, sub-metered homes (where you pay another company, not the utility directly), Roomers/Boarders are also all eligible for Energy Assistance grants.
For additional information on eligibility and qualifications, as well as application instructions, click here.
Applications may also be dropped off at these locations:
Wicomico County
500 Snow Hill Road (back of building, facing Washington Street)
Salisbury, MD 21804
410-341-9634
Somerset County
12409 Loretta Road
Princess Anne, MD 21853
410-651-1805
Worcester County
6352 Worcester Highway
Newark, MD 21841
410-632-2075
Income Eligibility Limits
Effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024
(Based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level)
(source: DHR Office of Home Energy Programs)
For additional information on our Energy Assistance Program, contact Keith White at kwhite@shoreup.org, or call 410-749-1142 x1988.
