Help paying your electric bill in Maryland
Maryland got $84.8 million in the HHS table, about $36 for each of its 2,339,510 households. Income limit 39% of state median income; public line 1-800-332-6347. Heating help reached 94,205 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Maryland
- Maryland LIHEAP public line1-800-332-6347
- State program sitedhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs
- Maryland Public Service Commission800-492-0474 · 800-201-7165 · 410-767-8000 · psc.state.md.us · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Maryland
Maryland: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - March 31 |
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hot temperature | yes, no criteria text |
| Health or age needs | "A gas and/or electric utility may not terminate service to occupants of residential buildings for nonpayment of bills unless the utility first certifies to the Commission by an affidavit, filed at least 24 hours before the termination, that the termination... |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Restrictions on Terminations; Fact Sheet.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: COMAR 20.31.03.04 (with definition in COMAR 20.31.01.02B(9)). Maryland bars nonpayment shutoffs while the utility's weather area is in a winter extreme weather period (72 hours of forecasts at or below 32F) and, for electric, in a summer extreme weather period (72 hours of forecast heat index or air temperature of 95F or above). Serious illness or life-support equipment certified by a medical provider adds up to 30 days. The text read is effective 6/9/2025. Quote: “A utility may not terminate service because of nonpayment to any customer if the utility's designated weather station area”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII (definitions read at https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maryland/COMAR-20-31-01-02)).
| Point | Maryland: COMAR 20.31.03.04 (with definition in COMAR 20.31.01.02B(9)) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | A utility may not terminate service for nonpayment to any customer if its designated weather station area is in a winter extreme weather period: 72 hours from 6 a.m., three consecutive 24-hour segments, in each of which the forecast temperature is not expected to exceed 32F; re-determined every 24 hours at 6 a.m. (.04A; .01.02B(9)(a)). |
| Heat | A utility may not terminate electric service for nonpayment (or gas used for cooling if the customer told the utility) to a customer in a residential building when the weather station area is in a summer extreme weather period: 72 hours from 6 a.m., three consecutive 24-hour segments with forecast heat index or air temperature of 95F or above (.04B; .01.02B(9)(b)). |
| Who is protected | COMAR 20.31.03.01 (read): up to 30 days postponement for serious illness or life-support equipment certified by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant; certificate due the day before termination; customer must set a payment agreement within 30 days; renewable. |
| Notice | Not read in this session for ordinary nonpayment (COMAR 20.31.02 only the no-notice grounds were read). |
| Payment plan | Only referenced: payment agreement under COMAR 20.31.01.08 required within 30 days of a medical certificate; that section not read. |
| Who the rule covers | Utilities (gas and electric) under PSC Subtitle 31; the heat protection covers residential buildings. Whether co-ops/munis are covered not read. |
Not found in the text we read: complaints; verify with the commission. Did not read ordinary notice and payment-agreement regulations (20.31.01.08, 20.31.02), complaint procedures, or co-op/municipal coverage.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Maryland: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Maryland | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $84,754,189 = $73,564,327 + $2,465,280 IIJA + $8,724,582 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Crisis, Weatherization: 1 person household = 39% SMI 2 person household = 40% SMI 3 person household = 41% SMI 4 person household = 41.70% SMI 5 person household = 42% SMI 6 person household = 42.40% SMI 7 person household = 46% SMI 8 person household = 50.90% SMI 9 person household =... | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $25 minimum, $1,100 maximum Crisis: $600 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 94,205 Year-round Crisis: 4,400 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: year-round Winter Crisis: November 1- March 31 Crisis: Year-round Weatherization: year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVMaryland in numbers
- Maryland ranks 25th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($36), 47th on households below the poverty line (9.6%) and 44th on low-income energy burden (6.8%).
- Per household below the poverty line (224,464 of them) the FY26 funds come to $378, rank 18th of 51: 17% of a typical year's electricity ($2,217). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 82,046 households got help in FY2022 against 622,366 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 13% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $851, 38% of that year.
- Heating season: year-round. Counted FY2024: heating.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $31 (Virginia) to $49 (West Virginia); low-income burden from 5.9% (District of Columbia) to 11.8% (West Virginia). Maryland: $36 and 6.8%.
Where Maryland's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Somerset County 9.4% (4,254 households); Queen Anne's County 9.4% (4,646 households); Caroline County 9.1% (5,007 households); Kent County 9.1% (3,075 households).
- Most low-income households: Baltimore city 110,681 (8.3%); Baltimore County 95,903 (6.6%); Prince George's County 87,968 (6.0%).
24 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Maryland?
Maryland sets its limit at 39% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $101,652.
How heavy is the energy bill in Maryland?
6.8% of income in low-income households, 1.9% overall. Ranking, Maryland prices.
| Group | Count | Maryland detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 622,366 households | 6.8% of income; $1,828 a year on $27,079 | rank 44 of 51 |
| All households | 2,277,743 households | 1.9%; $2,309 on $122,432 | rank 44 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 224,464 households | 9.6% of 2,339,510 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 47 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 19.48 ¢/kWh | bill $185 a month at 948 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Maryland
- Residential Essential Service (RES) MEAP-eligible residents who use natural gas for home heating and who are current on their utility bills may be eligible to receive discounts on a portion of their Washington Gas bills during the winter heating season....
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Allegheny Power, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Berlin Electric, Citizens Energy, Columbia Gas, Delmarva Power and 2 more.
Maryland on the map
Next to Maryland
Delaware, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. Most FY26 funds per household: West Virginia, $49. Maryland: $36. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Maryland
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Maryland Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-800-332-6347 or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Maryland Public Service Commission, 800-492-0474.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Maryland?
Call 1-800-332-6347. Site: http://dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/
Can Maryland utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; temperature for heat. November 1 - March 31 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Maryland?
6.8% of income for low-income households, 1.9% for all; $1,828 a year for the first group.
How many Maryland households got energy help?
82,046 in FY2022, 94,205 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $851.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Maryland bill?
$378 per poor household, 17% of $2,217.
How much LIHEAP money does Maryland get?
$84.8 million in FY2026, $36 per household, rank 25 of 51.
What income limit does Maryland use for LIHEAP?
39% of state median income; median household income $101,652; FY2022 heating standard 200% for four.