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Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) (LIHEAP) in Maryland

In Maryland, LIHEAP is the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), run by the Office of Home Energy Programs.

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From the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

One application covers MEAP, which pays toward your heating fuel or gas bill, and the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) for electric bills, plus help with large past-due bills. You can apply any time from July through June, and households on SNAP or Temporary Cash Assistance may not need to apply at all.

How to apply in Maryland

In person
Drop off an application at your local Office of Home Energy Programs, or apply by phone. OHEP's site has a Local Home Energy Program Office page to find yours. In-person appointments can take a while because many offices also handle other benefits.
By mail
Download the OHEP application, or call 1-800-332-6347 for a paper one, and mail it to your local office. You can mail or email your documents afterward; clear photos are fine.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Maryland

Who may qualify for Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Monthly income limit, one person (state fiscal year 2027: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)$2,660 a month for one person (200% of the federal poverty level)

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (source 5)

Monthly income limit, two people (fiscal year 2027)$3,607 a month for two people

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (source 5)

Which income countsGross income of everyone in the home 18 and older in the 30 days before you apply

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 4)

If you get SNAP or Temporary Cash AssistanceYou are counted as eligible and do not need to fill out an application or send documents

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 4)

What to have readyA government photo ID, Social Security cards or other federal papers for everyone in the home, your utility bill and heating fuel bill, and proof of everyone's income such as Social Security award letters or pension statements

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 4)

What you may get

What Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) pays
MEAP heating grant (fiscal year 2027)Up to $1,325 for propane in most of the state ($1,458 in Garrett County), with lower amounts for oil, gas, wood and electric heat. The grant depends on your fuel, income and where you live, and is paid to your heating supplier.

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (source 7)

Help with past-due gas and electric billsUp to $2,000 toward a past-due bill of $300 or more, once every five years with some exceptions. You must qualify for EUSP to get the electric arrearage grant.

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 6)

Winter crisis help (FY 2026 state plan)Up to $600 from Nov. 1 to March 31 for homes with no heat, a fuel shortage, or a utility shut-off less than three days away

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 8)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
When to applyYear-round

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 3)

Program yearJuly 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 1)

Winter crisis period (FY 2026 state plan)Nov. 1 to March 31

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 8)

How Maryland is different

Where Maryland's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.

  • A separate electric bill grant (EUSP) comes with the same application as MEAP
  • Households on SNAP or Temporary Cash Assistance get energy help without filling out an application
  • Grants of up to $2,000 for large past-due gas or electric bills
  • MEAP households can join the Utility Service Protection Program, which protects against heating-season shut-offs if you keep up even monthly payments
  • Applicants are referred to weatherization automatically unless they opt out

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 2)

Good to know

  • Energy assistance does not reduce SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance or Social Security benefits.

Source: Maryland Department of Human Services (source 2)

Free help

Free help with this in Maryland

More help in Maryland

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Maryland Department of Human Services, About Energy Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Maryland Department of Human Services, How to Apply for Energy Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs: Frequently Asked Questions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  5. Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs, FY27 OHEP Income Guidelines (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  6. Maryland Department of Human Services, How are Grants Determined? (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  7. Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs, FY27 MEAP Benefit Matrices (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  8. LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Maryland LIHEAP Plan, FY 2026 (copy posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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