Background Knowledge
The energy provider for the tri-county area of southern Maryland (Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles County)
What is SMECO?
Elimination of this federal program’s entire staff, combined with the federal government shutdown, creates uncertainty about whether OHEP programs will work as intended in FY 2026
What is LIHEAP (the Low Income Energy Assistance Program)
This office oversees the different energy assistance programs.
What is the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)?
This is a requirement in order to be eligible for any of the OHEP grants and can be proven by providing a driver's license, lease, voters registration, or recent utility bill.
What is Maryland residency?
While there are many options when submitting applications, (including signing documents in person, submitting by mail, or uploaded signed documents online) there is a simple option that is neglected that would streamline the process and make it more accessible.
What is electronic signature (DocuSign)?
The amount of notices the energy company must provide before shutting off services due to non-payment.
What is three?
During a 2022 national study, researchers found that 2 in every 5 people of this structurally oppressed group were not able to pay an energy bill during the COVID pandemic.
What are people with disabilities?
This program provides grants to aid in the payment of heating bills for eligible households.
What is the Maryland Electric Assistance Program (MEAP)?
The people eligible for energy assistance.
What are homeowners and renters?
With the rise in the presence of these data centers in Maryland, the cost of energy is increasing, which can disproportionately affect low-income households that include a person with a disability
What are AI data centers?
A program that encourages and incentivizes energy conservation and efficiency in Maryland.
What is EmPower Maryland?
This type of fuel, commonly used in Southern Maryland, is much more expensive which increases energy insecurity.
What is propane and fuel oil?
While requiring participants to engage in a monthly billing budgeting plan, this program provides protection to low-income households from utility cut-offs.
What is The Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP)?
In order to be eligible for the energy assistance programs, one must provide documentation of the gross household income within this timeframe.
What is the last 30 days?
This type of outreach brings SMTCCAC staff directly into communities so residents who can't travel can submit their documents without delay.
What are mobile intake clinics?
This is a misconception about energy assistance programs as they considered themselves to be supplemental resources.
What is pay the entire energy bill?
This benefit can expedite energy assistance and pause utility cutoff for 30 days if a member of a household is medically vulnerable, eg utilizes life supporting equipment. However, it has a completely separate/additional application process from other energy benefits and in order to receive this benefit, one must submit medical certification.
What is the Critical Medical Needs Program
This program focuses on providing budgeting plans and financial assistance towards the payment of electric bills.
What is The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)?
On average, this is how long it can take for the Office of Home Energy programs to review energy assistance applications, assuming all necessary documentation is provided.
What is 45 days?
Raising this threshold would reduce the risk that medically vulnerable households/disabled individuals would have to decide between affording food, heating, or electricity this winter.
What is the maximum household income eligibility?
1/5 of Marylanders report spending this percentage of their income on utility bills.
What is 6% of their income?
The number of Americans who live in households with utility debt so severe that it will soon be sent to collections.
What is 14 million?
The local human services agency for Maryland State Office of Home Energy Programs for Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert County.
What is Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee (SMTCCAC)?
If a customer is in utility service termination status and applies for an energy assistance program within 14 days, the Office of Home Energy Programs can issue a cut-off hold that will last this many days.
What is 55 days?
While there is not currently a requirement utility companies or the state help consumers with this, this long-term fix reduces costs permanently by improving insulation, heating/cooling systems, and home repairs.
What are weatherization and whole home energy upgrades?