Maryland Energy Assistance Reaches a Record 148,632 Households: Nearly $186 Million Distributed as Winter Crisis Season Opens
Maryland announced that its energy assistance programs served 148,632 households in fiscal year 2026 and distributed nearly $186 million - both records, with the dollar figure up about 42 percent from fiscal 2025, when 131,396 households received more than $131 million.
The aid flows through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), which help low-income households pay heating and electric bills. The programs are administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) within the Department of Human Services.
The state also reminded residents that the winter crisis season opened November 1 and runs through March 31, 2027: eligible households facing a heating-system failure, empty fuel tank or threatened utility shutoff can apply for one-time crisis assistance of up to $600.
Acting Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers and OHEP Director Rigel Moore said rising applications reflect the pressure of energy costs on household budgets, and encouraged residents in need to apply early through Department of Human Services channels rather than waiting for a shutoff notice. Maryland residents can check eligibility and apply through the department's website or county social services offices. (Source: Maryland Department of Human Services)
Source: Maryland Department of Human Services
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「Maryland State House from College Ave.JPG」（Martin Falbisoner 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0） Image: Wikimedia Commons "Maryland State House from College Ave.JPG" (by Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0)
