With the state moratorium on utility cutoffs set to expire on November 15, County Executive Steuart Pittman has announced an energy bill relief program that will allow qualified families and individuals affected by COVID to apply for special assistance through Anne Arundel’s Community Action Agency (CAA). This program further supports BGE’s flexible payment program and other options announced earlier by the utility to help customers manage billing challenges and remain in service.
Targeted to those customers who do not qualify for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and other electric and utility programs, the assistance from CAA is funded through a $550,000 CARES grant. Qualifying energy assistance includes past due bills incurred after March 1, 2020 from Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and heating oil and fuel vendors.
“As colder weather begins and utility bills come due, we can’t allow the impacts of this pandemic to put people at risk of utility shut-off,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I encourage any one who is behind on energy bills to apply for this funding or else reach out to your energy provider to negotiate an affordable payment plan. I am grateful to our Community Action team for the important work they have done during this pandemic, and stepping up to manage these funds for us.”
CAA’s Energy Assistance Department provides assistance to qualified Anne Arundel County residents to help lower their cost of heat and electricity during the winter months and ensure that families are able to keep their electricity for lighting, meal preparation, and personal safety.
“The health and wellness of the community is our highest priority at this time,” said Dr. Charlestine R. Fairley, Chief Executive Officer for the Community Action Agency of Anne Arundel County. “I want to thank County Executive Pittman and the Health and Human Services agencies for the opportunity to expand our service to people who have fallen behind on their energy bills due to COVID-19 and do not qualify for Maryland Energy Assistance. Working in cooperation with BGE and local fuel and energy vendors, we will help you keep your power on.”
In addition to assistance from the CAA, the County has partnered with BGE to offer assistance to families and individuals struggling with past-due balances through a Deferred Payment Arrangement Plan. This plan allows customers to pay the balance off over time in installments with no required down payment.
“BGE does not want to disconnect any customers,” said David Wright,” BGE External Affairs Manager. “For those customers who have the ability to enter into a payment plan, it’s important to take immediate action and contact us at 1-800-685-0123 or visit BGE.com/assistance now before they are in crisis.”
Community Action has launched an emergency hotline to assist Anne Arundel County residents who have experienced a power shut-off, are low on or out of bulk heating fuel, or are facing an imminent shut-off. The new hotline is manned 24 hours per day, 7 days a week by Agency staff ready to serve households in emergency circumstances with their heating. The number to call is 833.888.0401. TTY users should call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1.
