Utility Assistance

Access utility assistance programs that help families maintain essential services like electricity, gas, and water by providing financial support or payment relief during the federal government shutdown.

 

 

Utility Assistance Programs 

Energy Assistance Program 

The Energy Assistance unit provides bill assistance to eligible households to prevent energy service loss and assist with restoration. To determine eligibility, visit dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/local-home-energy-program-office/

PEPCO

With the federal government shutdown (effective Oct. 1st) impacting our region and the nation, Pepco understands the uncertainty and financial strain this may cause for many of our valued customers. 

Please know that we are here to help, and we remain committed to supporting our valued customers with flexible and accessible solutions during this challenging time. 

We want you to be aware that there are key support measures available for your constituents, including: 

Flexible Payment Options: Impacted customers can access payment arrangements up to 12 months and budget billing plans to help manage monthly expenses and avoid service disconnection. 

Late Payment Charge Waivers: A 30-day waiver on late payment charges will be granted in increments for affected customers. 

Proactive Assistance Resources: Customers will be connected to agency assistance programs and tools like:  

• Assistance Finder Tool: Helps identify bill assistance and energy efficiency programs that customers may qualify for: https://secure.pepco.com/assistance/landing
• Single Stop (PHI only): Helps customers quickly and privately check if they qualify for other benefits, including help with housing, money, food, school, healthcare, childcare, taxes, utility bills, and more. Customer can access the tool anytime on their phone, tablet, or computer.

Impacted federal workers should contact our customer care team for more information about these added support measures and how to access. 

• Pepco: pepco.com/BillSupport or call 202-833-7500
• BGE: bge.com/heretohelp or call 1-800-685-0123 

*Additionally, please note that support measures are also available to federal contractors. 

Seasonal Bill Support

As we transition into colder winter months, we’re also offering tools to help customers manage energy use and reduce costs: 

• High usage alerts, which enable customers to receive alerts when their usage is trending higher than normal to help manage overall energy use, and energy-management tips to help customers manage energy use to save money now and on future energy bills.
• Weekly energy reports, which provide a weekly snapshot of usage and costs so that customers can keep track of how they’re using energy that month. Residential customers will automatically receive these reports by email.
• Energy efficiency offerings, including services and incentives designed to help customers reduce energy use now and in the long term. 

Year-Round Support

We also offer a variety of programs to help support our customers year-round, such as: 

• Our Customer Relief Program offers eligible limited- and moderate-income customers up to $300 in relief on their energy bill.
• With the Gift of Energy, anyone can make a payment toward a friend or family member’s energy bill.
• We offer a variety of individually tailored payment arrangements aimed at bringing the account up to date over a mutually agreeable period of time.
• For customers whose main source of household income is from government or other low-income entitlement programs, they may qualify for a regular extension of their bill due date without incurring a late charge. 

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)

With the federal government shutdown now in effect, BGE is providing expanded bill payment support options to impacted federal workers to help those customers manage their energy costs and avoid service disconnection.

Available support includes:

• Flexible payment options: Impacted customers will be eligible for multiple payment arrangements and budget billing plans.
• Late payment charge waivers: A 30-day waiver on late payment charges will be granted in increments for affected customers.
• Streamlined verification: Customers will not be required to provide government ID to access additional support measures.
• Proactive assistance resources: Customers who contact BGE’s Care Center will be proactively offered support services available through BGE’s self-service Assistance Finder, which provides simple and personalized recommendations. 

Impacted federal workers are encouraged to contact BGE’s Customer Care team at 1-800-685-0123 for information about these support measures and how to access them.  

BGE customers can visit bge.com/heretohelp for more ways to manage their bill, use energy more efficiently, or access energy assistance. This includes:

• Payment arrangements and due-date extensions.
• Financial assistance through state programs and the Fuel Fund of Maryland.
• Budget billing information and online self-serve sign-up for customers who prefer a predictable monthly bill that spreads energy costs throughout the year. 

Energy efficiency programs and My Account tools that offer insights.

WSSC Water 

WSSC Water: WSSC is monitoring the uncertainty within the federal government and will determine the next steps regarding turnoffs or waiving late fees, as they bill quarterly. In the interim, customers are encouraged to visit their website for latest updates at https://www.wsscwater.com and review their financial assistance programs for more information.

Southern Maryland Electric Co (SMECO)

SMECO will offer extended payment arrangements if necessary. We will not ask for verification of federal employment. Instead, we will accept the customer’s representation.

• Waive an immediate good-faith payment to establish a payment arrangement, which under normal circumstances is required.
• Waive late payment fees.
• If one of our field representatives is at a property to collect or disconnect service, and the customer identifies themselves as a federal employee, the service will not be disconnected and no payment will be required. The field representative will instruct the customer to contact our office for further assistance.
• If an account is disconnected due to non-payment (and no one was at the property at the time of the disconnection), the customer can call and indicate that they are a federal employee. In this case, we will reconnect the service without requiring any payment. Additionally, we will waive any collection and reconnect fees, and we will not require a deposit.

We would like to emphasize the importance of reaching out to our office if you are facing challenges in paying your electric bill, whether you are a federal employee or not. For further assistance, please visit our website at www.smeco.coop or contact us at 888-440-3311.

Additional support from Delmarva Power

Pepco and Delmarva Power are committed to helping customers impacted by the federal government shutdown with expanded bill payment support options. Furloughed federal workers are encouraged to contact our customer care team for information on flexible payment options, late payment charge waivers, and additional bill payment support available to them in this challenging time. Customers will not be required to provide a government ID to access additional support.

Delmarva Power: 800-375-7117  

For resources on managing your bill, using energy more efficiently, or accessing energy assistance, visit: 

Delmarva Power:  delmarva.com/BillSupport