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To be eligible, customers must have a past-due balance of $300 or more. In general, households may receive an arrearage retirement grant once every five years, though certain exceptions may apply. Notably, arrearage benefits received in calendar years 2020 and 2021 do not count toward this five-year limitation. For full eligibility details and program criteria, refer to Chapter 2.1 of this manual. 1.1.4 Critical Medical Needs Program (CMNP) The Critical Medical Needs Program (CMNP) provides expedited energy assistance to households where a utility disconnection would pose a serious threat to the health or well-being of a medically vulnerable individual. The program is designed to ensure that individuals with qualifying medical conditions have continued access to essential utility services, particularly electricity, which may be necessary to support life-sustaining medical equipment, treatments, or health needs. Eligible applicants must meet the income guidelines for energy assistance programs and provide medical certification from a licensed healthcare provider verifying the critical nature of their condition and the need for uninterrupted utility service. CMNP applications are given priority processing to prevent disconnections or to restore service as quickly as possible. The program is administered by the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) in coordination with Local Administering Agencies (LAAs) across the state, working closely with healthcare providers, community navigators and utility companies to protect the health and safety of vulnerable residents. 1.1.5 Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP) The Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP) is a utility-administered program regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission under COMAR Title 20.31.05 The program provides safeguards against utility service terminations for households that qualify for energy assistance program benefits. Once enrolled in USPP, eligible customers are placed on a budget billing plan that spreads their annual utility costs into equal monthly payments. As long as the agreed-upon payments are made, participating households are protected from electric or gas service disconnections during the heating season, which runs from November 1 through March 31. Any outstanding balance accrued during this period becomes due at the conclusion of the heating season.

Updated May 2025