BGE Participates in Energy Assistance Expo and Encourages Limited-Income Customers to Attend to Apply for Energy Assistance

BGE Participates in Energy Assistance Expo and Encourages Limited-Income Customers to Attend to Apply for Energy Assistance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Participates in Energy Assistance Expo and Encourages Limited-Income Customers to Attend to Apply for Energy Assistance

Limited-income customers encouraged to attend and speak with representatives from BGE, the Office of Senator Catherine Pugh, Office of Home Energy Programs and Baltimore City Community College

Funding available for eligible customers who may need help with energy bills

BALTIMORE, Nov. 9, 2012 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx>  today announced it is participating in an Energy Assistance Expo with The Office of Senator Catherine Pugh, the Office of Home Energy Programs and Baltimore City Community College. Limited-income customers are encouraged to attend the expo on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. to speak with representatives from BGE and apply for energy assistance. The event will be held at the Administration Building of the Baltimore City Community College, located at 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21215. 

“It is extremely important that customers reach out to BGE before finding themselves in a crisis, so that we can work together in helping them manage their energy needs,” said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer, BGE. “In addition to offering programs specifically targeted to help limited-income customers, BGE participates in energy assistance expos throughout the year and encourages customers who may need assistance with their energy bills to attend. All customers, including limited-income customers, should also take advantage of the many programs available through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® <http://www.bgesmartenergy.com/>  intended to help them increase the energy efficiency of their homes and conserve energy as much as possible, all of which also helps them better manage energy bills.”

This event is intended for customers who live in Baltimore City and currently have BGE service. Customers seeking additional assistance information are urged to contact the Baltimore City Central OHEP Office, located at 2700 N. Charles Street, Suite 202, Baltimore, Md. 21218. Additionally, customers can call 410-396-5555.

For eligibility, use the chart below. If a customer’s most recent monthly income is less than or equal to the amount below, they may be eligible for energy assistance and help with energy bills. Customers do not need to have a turn-off notice to apply for energy assistance.

Household Size                     Maximum Monthly Gross Income

                          1                                                            $1,628.95

                          2                                                            $2,206.45

                          3                                                            $2,783.95

                          4                                                            $3,361.45

                          5                                                            $3,938.95

                          6                                                            $4,516.45

                For each additional person in the household, add $577.50. 

This event is for customers who currently have service. Eligible applicants must have an existing BGE account or be in the process of applying for a new account. Customers applying for energy assistance should bring the following with them for processing: 

·         Government-issued photo identification

·         Proof of residence (lease, rent book, mortgage statement)

·         Copies of Social Security Cards for all household members, including children

·         Proof of all of your household’s total gross income for the last 30 days (from all sources of income)

·         The name of your home energy supplier and account number

·         A copy of your most recent utility bill

BGE estimates 200,000 customers in its service area are limited income; however, only approximately 65,000 of those customers apply for OHEP assistance. Additionally, customers who need aid beyond the OHEP grant may contact the Fuel Fund of Maryland, BGE Community Assistance Fund, as well as other community based organizations. While energy assistance events are held periodically throughout the year, qualifying customers can apply for grants at any OHEP office during normal business hours. For more information on state income guidelines, and for information on where and how to apply for assistance, contact the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) <http://www.dhr.state.md.us/ohep/>  at 800-352-1446. Residents of Baltimore City should call410-396-5555.   

Additional Resources for Customers:

·         Community Resource Guide <http://www.bge.com/myaccount/waystopay/pages/financial-billing-assistance.aspx>  (formally known as “The Purple Book) – A collection of resources and information about assistance programs of all kinds – federal, state and local, as well as programs from BGE and non-profit providers. The Guide is available in English and Spanish.

·         Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) <http://www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/?page_id=4326>  - EUSP is a state program that helps qualifying limited-income customers pay the electric portion of their bills. MEAP provides a grant for qualifying limited-income customers regardless of their heating source.  Customers may apply for either or both programs anytime during the year.  The programs provide bill payment assistance, resolution of past utility debts and selected weatherization services to make residences more energy efficient.  Call 800-352-1446 for information. EUSP and MEAP applications and brochures can be downloaded from the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) website. <http://www.dhr.state.md.us/meap/down.htm> 

·         BGE Smart Energy Savers Program <http://www.bgesmartenergy.com/>  – BGE offers a host of empowering choices to help customers conserve energy, save money and protect the environment. 

·         Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) <http://www.maryland.gov/pages/problemsolver.aspx>  - If you qualify for MEAP, you may also be eligible to receive weatherization services through the Weatherization Assistance Program.  Ask about weatherization when you apply for your energy assistance grant or contact your local weatherization office, at 800-638-7781, or visit them online: Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program <http://www.dhcd.state.md.us/Website/Programs/wap/Default.aspx> .

·         Fuel Fund of Maryland <http://www.fuelfundmaryland.org/index.shtml>  - BGE works with the Fuel Fund to make bill assistance available to eligible households.  BGE provides customer-funded matching credits for customers who apply for and receive help from the Fuel Fund.  For more information, including where to apply, call the Fuel Fund at 410-821-3022, or visit them online: Fuel Fund of Maryland <http://www.fuelfundmaryland.org/index.shtml> .

·         2-1-1 Maryland <http://www.211metrodc.org/>  provides a link to community health and human service resources statewide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1 to find assistance when you or someone you know needs help, from child care, jobs, health care, and insurance — to emergency services to help you in times of disaster or crisis.

Customers should never wait until they are in trouble to seek assistance. For information on financial and billing assistance, visitbge.com <http://www.bge.com/myaccount/waystopay/pages/financial-billing-assistance.aspx> . BGE customers are also encouraged to enroll in the utility’s Budget Billing <http://www.bge.com/myaccount/billsrates/Pages/Billing-Options.aspx>program which spreads payments out over a 12-month period so customers aren’t as affected by seasonal increases in usage. Typically, the enrollment process takes a full billing cycle.   

About the Office of Home Energy Programs

The Office of Home Energy Programs, (OHEP) provides subsidies to assist low-income residents with heating and cooling bills. OHEP's goal is to make energy costs more affordable and thus minimize heating crises. OHEP works closely with The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), which promote energy conservation, financial responsibility, and energy independence.

BGE <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx> , headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider with approximately $33 billion in annual revenues.  Like us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/myBGE>  and follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/mybge> , YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/baltimoregaselectric>   and Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge> .

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