Last Updated 3/20/26
Sections
- Specific OHEP Grant Programs
- Eligibility Guidelines
- Categorical Eligibility
- What If I Am Undocumented?
- Tips for Applying
- Steps For Applying
- OHEP Worksheet
Every household depends on essential utilities such as water, gas, and electricity, but with skyrocketing prices and high rent, managing the monthly BGE bill can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, the Office of Home Energy Programs gives many grants to households struggling to pay for their BGE bills.
Through this guide, we will break down the seemingly overwhelming process of applying for OHEP energy assistance grants into manageable steps. If you have any questions regarding this guide, feel free to contact us at bmorebenefits@gmail.com or fill out this form. You can also fill out this form to receive help in locating resources that aren’t currently covered by this website!
Specific OHEP Grant Programs
The OHEP application allows you to apply for these 4 programs simultaneously through one application. Below I break down how each grant can assist you with your utility bills.
Eligibility Guidelines
For MEAP and EUSP, eligibility is mostly based on income and household size. A household consists of any person currently residing in the household the day the application is signed and must be listed on the application. The income guides which we have shown below for the fiscal year 2026 (that means July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
| Household Size | Monthly Income Guidelines |
| 1 | $2,608 |
| 2 | $3,525 |
| 3 | $4,441 |
| 4 | $5,358 |
| 5 | $6,275 |
| 6 | $7,191 |
| 7 | $8,108 |
| 8 | $9,025 |
| 9 | $9,942 |
| 10 | $10,859 |
| 11 | Contact Local OHEP Office |
In addition, to be eligible to apply you should
- Be responsible for paying home energy costs in Maryland
- Have not already received energy assistance benefits from OHEP during the fiscal year
- A fiscal year is from July 1st of a year to June 30th of the following year
- Be at least 18 years old or emancipated
Categorical Eligibility
If at least one member of your household receives SNAP, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), TANF/TCA (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families / Temporary Cash Assistance), or Means-Tested Veterans Affairs Benefits, the state considers you eligible for OHEP. You may be automatically enrolled and you may not need to submit a separate OHEP application. However, to be extra sure you are receiving OHEP benefits, I would contact OHEP at 800-332-6347 or submit an OHEP application. You should also check to ensure that the utility account number they have on file is correct, otherwise you will not receive the benefits of the grant.
What If I Am Undocumented?
Undocumented individuals may qualify for OHEP energy assistance grants if there are other people in their household with social security numbers. Visit your local OHEP office in order to see if you qualify. The local OHEP offices can be found here.
Tips for Applying
One piece of advice we have is to apply for OHEP energy assistance closer to the beginning of the fiscal year. In FY24, MEAP and GARA benefits were halted because of exhausted funds meaning that many individuals struggling to pay for energy couldn’t receive the help they needed until the next fiscal year began.
If you have a current shut-off notice, visit or call your local OHEP office. OHEP can request for a 55 day hold on your account that can prevent the termination of your utility services while you submit your OHEP application.
Steps for Applying
Based on the eligibility requirements above, you can be reasonably confident as to whether you are eligible for OHEP energy assistance. There are several ways that you can apply for OHEP that we outline below. Here, we break down the process of independently applying to OHEP into manageable steps.
Step 1: Gather the required documents
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social security cards for all members in the household that have one
- Could also be federal government-issued documents such as W-2 or Social Security Benefits Notice with name and Social Security Name.
- Proof of all household income
- Pay stubs associated with prior 30-day income
- Weekly earnings statements from rideshare companies or “gig economy” work
- Signed statement from employer, using official company letterhead, showing employee’s name, gross pay, and date income received
- Benefit award letters
- If you are self employed, document using Schedule SE tax form and complete and sign Income Verification of Self-Employment Form.
- If you claim zero income, complete and sign the Declaration of Zero Income form.
- If someone is assisting you in meeting household’s basic needs, complete Resource Provider Statement
- Copy of recent utility and/or heating bill(s)
- Example: BGE bill
Step 2: Apply
There are several ways to apply for OHEP energy assistance.
For Online Application: Create Account for MDThink
For Mail-In Addresses and Secure Drop Box Locations: Local OHEP Offices
Step 3: What to Expect After Applying
- Application is entered into OHEP Data system within 7 days of receipt of application
- Determinations will be certified or denied no later than 45 days after receiving the application
- You can check the status of your OHEP application online using the OHEP Status Checker.
- If you do not see your application within 10-15 days of submitting your application, contact OHEP at 800-332-6347.
Step 4: What Happens If You Are Denied
If you are denied benefits, you will be sent a notice within 7 calendar days of the date of denial. You will be able to
- Reapply for OHEP benefits 30 days after the date of denial if OHEP is still accepting applications.
- When the program close day is less than 30 days away, you can reapply within 15 days of the close date.
- If you were denied because of an incomplete application, you can submit the requested information within 15 days of the Denial Notice and the original application can be processed.
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