(Dec. 8, 2016) Help is available for Maryland residents struggling to pay home electric bills this winter through the Maryland Department of Human Resources’ Office of Home Energy Programs.
Income eligibility limits start at $20,790 for a single person. A family of four, for instance, can make up to $42,525 annually and still qualify for assistance.
Locally, the program is managed by ShoreUp! Inc., and in Berlin it has been in place since 2009 with a unique twist – the town sends a letter inside regular electric bills once a year asking for donations and providing matching funds.
“The program is designed to help people that are struggling with their bills, so ShoreUp! takes applications and reviews them, and the makes the determination with regards to how much individuals receive,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said.
While the program runs statewide, Allen said she was not aware of another instance in which a town that operates a private utility offered matching funds to help pay for electric bills.
“From my limited understanding, it is unique that a town would be in a position to match,” she said.
Mayor Gee Williams said there’s an obvious benefit to having an outside group like ShoreUp! operate the Energy Assistance Program.
“They’ve been doing it for years and they have the expertise, and they also have the records so that there’s not duplication,” he said.
He remembers the program coming before the mayor and council during his first term in office, nearly a decade ago.
“Despite the fact that there was a state program in place, it came to our attention because we have an electric utility,” he said. “Some folks in customer service let us know that we had some customers who had some unpaid balances and they knew they were hardship cases. So we tried to come up with something where we didn’t make the decision as to who would qualify, but that we would outreach to the community and pledge – and have continued to each year – dollar for dollar on a matching basis the donations that we receive from the public, up to $10,000 [annually].
“I’ve been very pleased and grateful for the support the program has received each and every year,” Williams continued. “It appears to be gradually growing, which is just what you would hope for. Unfortunately, I don’t see the need going away anytime soon, but it’s appropriate for the community to extend a hand to those people who [need help].”
He added that he hoped the program would become a “permanent part of our community’s culture.”
“Nobody is solicited in any way – it’s purely a voluntary effort – and I think it speaks well of the character of the community that such a program has become sustainable through one single solicitation a year by letter so that no one is put on the spot. I’m very grateful – but not surprised – that there’s so many generous and caring people in our little town,” Williams said.
In Berlin, money for the program will be collected through the end of the month.
For more information or to apply for assistance, visit www.dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs or www.shoreup.org/eastern- shore-md-services-programs/Energy-Assistance-and-Family-Support-Programs.
Income eligibility limits start at $20,790 for a single person. A family of four, for instance, can make up to $42,525 annually and still qualify for assistance.
Locally, the program is managed by ShoreUp! Inc., and in Berlin it has been in place since 2009 with a unique twist – the town sends a letter inside regular electric bills once a year asking for donations and providing matching funds.
“The program is designed to help people that are struggling with their bills, so ShoreUp! takes applications and reviews them, and the makes the determination with regards to how much individuals receive,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said.
While the program runs statewide, Allen said she was not aware of another instance in which a town that operates a private utility offered matching funds to help pay for electric bills.
“From my limited understanding, it is unique that a town would be in a position to match,” she said.
Mayor Gee Williams said there’s an obvious benefit to having an outside group like ShoreUp! operate the Energy Assistance Program.
“They’ve been doing it for years and they have the expertise, and they also have the records so that there’s not duplication,” he said.
He remembers the program coming before the mayor and council during his first term in office, nearly a decade ago.
“Despite the fact that there was a state program in place, it came to our attention because we have an electric utility,” he said. “Some folks in customer service let us know that we had some customers who had some unpaid balances and they knew they were hardship cases. So we tried to come up with something where we didn’t make the decision as to who would qualify, but that we would outreach to the community and pledge – and have continued to each year – dollar for dollar on a matching basis the donations that we receive from the public, up to $10,000 [annually].
“I’ve been very pleased and grateful for the support the program has received each and every year,” Williams continued. “It appears to be gradually growing, which is just what you would hope for. Unfortunately, I don’t see the need going away anytime soon, but it’s appropriate for the community to extend a hand to those people who [need help].”
He added that he hoped the program would become a “permanent part of our community’s culture.”
“Nobody is solicited in any way – it’s purely a voluntary effort – and I think it speaks well of the character of the community that such a program has become sustainable through one single solicitation a year by letter so that no one is put on the spot. I’m very grateful – but not surprised – that there’s so many generous and caring people in our little town,” Williams said.
In Berlin, money for the program will be collected through the end of the month.
For more information or to apply for assistance, visit www.dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs or www.shoreup.org/eastern- shore-md-services-programs/Energy-Assistance-and-Family-Support-Programs.