Maryland expands – Maryland is expanding its energy assistance benefits, with the Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs expecting the largest savings for low-income households. The state also plans $48 million in supplemental grants to help cover electric b
Thousands of Marylanders may see relief in their next utility cycle as the state expands energy assistance meant to lower the cost of staying warm and keeping the lights on.
The changes were announced in a Thursday news release from Gov. Wes Moore’s office. The expansion is designed to help households facing higher energy costs, with low-income families expected to receive the biggest increase in support.
Under the updated benefit structure launched this week. Marylanders could see up to a 32% increase in their benefits through the Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs’ energy assistance program. The revised structure is intended to offset up to 55% of annual heating costs and up to 47% of electric bills for Marylanders who need assistance.
Moore framed the move as a direct response to rising energy prices. “In our region and across the country, the rising cost of energy has gotten out of control,” he said in the release. “But no family should have to choose between paying their utility bill and putting food on the table.”
The amount a home receives will depend on factors such as household size, utility consumption and finances. The state’s Department of Human Services office said low-income households will receive the largest bump in support.
Alongside the expanded benefits. Maryland is issuing $48 million in supplemental grants to help residents cover their electric bills through the end of September. The grants will be automatically applied to people who received benefits from the Electric Universal Service Program in the 2026 fiscal year.
For many households, connection to the energy assistance programs will be automatic. Marylanders receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Cash Assistance will be automatically connected to the energy assistance programs.
The state’s eligibility expansion also comes from a new law passed by the Maryland General Assembly this year. That law expanded access to the Electric Universal Service Program to include Marylanders who don’t qualify for federal benefits intended to help with energy costs.
Taken together. the changes appear aimed at reducing the gap between rising bills and available assistance—especially for households already stretched by basic expenses. With the supplemental electric-bill grants running through the end of September and the benefit structure revised this week. the pressure point for many families may shift from deciding whether to pay the bill at all to figuring out how much the state can cover.
Maryland energy assistance utility bills Wes Moore Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs Electric Universal Service Program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Temporary Cash Assistance supplemental grants heating costs electric bills