Office of Home Energy Program
(OHEP)

Attention Customer Instructions for progrm

Please note: (OHEP application ) must be completed in order for your application to be complete and considered for services.

If you have any questions, please contact The Energy Assistance Program at (301) 274.4474, option #1, or email us at OHEP@smtccac.org. Click on the button below to upload any documents.

Apply Online

Complete OHEP Application Upload Documents OHEP Help Videos

Downloadable Forms   Additional Forms   OHEP Flyer

MEAP

The Maryland Assistance Program provides grants to assist with home heating bills. Payments are made to fuel suppliers and utility companies on behalf of the customer. MEAP is available to all income eligible Maryland heating customers, both homeowners and renters, including roomer or boarder, regardless of whether you pay your heating costs.

MEAP also offers the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP). This program provides eligible households access to an even monthly payment program and protection from turnoffs.


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 year annual utility bills into even monthly payments to avoid spikes in your bill caused by seasonal fluctuations in energy use. Please check with your utility company on eligibility requirements and budget billing policy.


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.

Alert: Updated Hours of Operation for Energy Assistance
Please note the hours of operation for Energy Assistance are now from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Ensure to visit during these times for assistance.

Official OHEP Logo

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.

Members Helping Members

Members Helping Members is a fund set aside to help those that have electric bills in $100 of arrears. Those that are 250% and below the poverty level receive first priority, as well as Veterans. Customers can receive assistance once per year up to a $1000 limit. Funds are available on a first come first serve basis, and until fund are exhausted. Questions- email us at OHEP@smtccac.org or call (301) 274-4474 Option #4.


SMTCCAC, Inc. is the local administering agency of Maryland State Office of Home Energy Programs for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's County.

Effective December 19th, 2022, all customers applying for Energy Assistance will be seen by
APPOINTMENT ONLY

You MUST bring the following with you to your appointment, or you will be rescheduled:

1. Completed OHEP Energy Assistance Application
2. Proof of Residency such as a lease, housing letter, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or the Living Arrangements Form
3. Proof of gross income from the previous 30 days for everyone in your household over 18 years old
4. The Declaration of Zero Income Form, Household Worksheet and Resource Provider Statement if your household has not received income over the previous 30 days
5. Recent energy bill(s) and termination notice (if applicable)
6. Applicant's Photo ID
7. Social Security Cards for everyone in your household or, if needed, a letter from the Social Security Administration after you've applied for new cards

We no longer except incomplete applications. All supporting documents must be submitted with your application.

Alternatives to applying in person:

Online: https://www.smtccac.org/office-of-home-energy-program.aspx
MUST COMPLETE STEP 1 and STEP 2
Fax: 301-274-5638
Mail: P.O. Box 280 Hughesville, MD 20637
Email: ohep@smtccac.org
Drop Box: 8371 Old Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 2063

Maryland Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Maryland Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

The Maryland Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is part of a federally-funded American Rescue Plan program that provides assistance to help households pay water and wastewater bills. Depending on your income and specific needs, you may qualify for the following assistance.

OHEP is now serving St. Mary's County with the Low Income Homes Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)! Please click the button below, for more information about the program:

English Application   Spanish Application   Download Flyer

Community Needs Assessment

Community Needs Assessment

We are embarking upon our Community Needs Assessment activities. We’d like to hear from you about needs impacting our low-income community members, in the counties surrounding SMTCCAC, Inc. One method we are using is an online survey through Survey Monkey. We would greatly appreciate you completing this survey, to help improve and inform future services and programming at the agency. This survey should take about 20-30 minutes to complete.

Community Needs Assessment Survey

The Energy Assistance Program helps households pay their utility bills,
minimize heating crises, and make energy costs more affordable.

OHEP's Brochure

Who Is Eligible For Energy Assistance?

Renters, homeowners, residents of public housing, sub-metered homes (where you pay another company, not the utility directly), Roomers/Boarders are all eligible for Energy Assistance grants.

The most important factors in determining who is eligible for energy assistance are the size of your household and how much money you made in the last 30 days

Things That May Delay Your Application

  • Not completing all sections of the application
  • No signature or date on the application
  • Missing documents
  • Not including all household members
  • Not including all income for the past 30 days
  • Electric bill not in Applicant’s name

Needed to Apply:

  • A copy of your photo ID
  • Proof of everyone’s gross (pre-tax) income for the last 30 days
  • Proof of where you live (This can be your utility bill)
  • Copies of Social Security cards for everyone in your household
  • A copy of your most recent heating fuel bill or receipt (if applicable)
  • Copy of your most recent Utility bill or termination notice (if applicable)

Did You Know?

  • All energy assistance dollars are grants. You do not have to pay back a grant.
  • Grant amounts are calculated based on your income from the last 30 days and your fuel type.
  • Make sure you submit all of your supporting documents with your energy assistance application.
  • Missing documents or signatures WILL delay your application.
  • Continue to make payments on all your electric and heating bills. Energy Assistance will not cover your whole bill.

Drop-in applications accepted:

  • Hughesville Location
         8371 Old Leonardtown Road
         Hughesville, MD 20637
  • Huntingtown Location
         3720 Solomons Island Road
         Huntingtown, MD 20639
  • Applications can be faxed to:
         301-274-5638


Useful links:

Maryland's Dept. of Human Resources

2022 OHEP Brochure (English)

2022 OHEP Folleto AF 2022 (Español)

Apply through MyDHR

Check your application status

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to
low-income households in the State of Maryland

Income Eligibility Limits
Effective July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022