Assistance & Special Programs

Water

Water Assistance Program
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides benefits for water and wastewater costs for low-income households experiencing hardship with their water bills. LIHWAP will assist Maryland families who are behind on their drinking water and wastewater bills focusing on arrearage accounts that are 30 days or more past due. Visit Low Income Household Water Assistance Program - Maryland Department of Human Services to learn more.

Electric and Gas

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
MEAP assists people with winter heating bills. It is available once each heating season begins. Customers may apply anytime during the year, however, grant money is only available November through March.

Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
All customers eligible for assistance from the MEAP are eligible for participation in USPP. Customers in the USPP will be required to enter into an equal monthly payment plan based on estimated cost of average annual utility usage minus annual MEAP benefits. Customers in the USPP may also enter into a supplemental payment plan if their outstanding average is $400 or less.

Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
The Electric Universal Service Program is a state program designed to help low-income customers pay the electric portion of their bills. The program provides bill payment assistance, arrearage retirement of pre-July 1, 2000 electric bills, and targeted weatherization services.

For more information on MEAP, USPP and EUSP, contact:
Neighborhood Service Center, Inc.
126 Port Street
Easton, MD 21601
410-763-6745

Other assistance may be obtained from the following:
Talbot County Social Services
301 Bay Street, Suite 5
Easton, MD 21601
410-770-4848

Internet

Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program that helps lower the monthly cost of your phone or internet service with a discount of up to $9.25.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households.

Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit Subsidy
The Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit Subsidy provides households currently enrolled in the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program with an additional discount of up to $15 per month on broadband bills.

Learn more

BUDGET BILLING PLAN

Customers can spread energy costs out evenly throughout the year by enrolling in the Budget Billing Plan. With the Budget Billing Plan, you pay the same amount for your utilities every month based on your usage history, regardless of how much you use in a given month. That’s particularly helpful in the middle of winter and end of the summer when bills typically increase due to the more severe weather. Once a year we true-up your account depending on whether you used more or less than budgeted. No matter what your budget amount, at the end of the year, you pay for only what you used. You may enroll any time after having service for at least 12 months. Contact Credit and Collections for more information. This service is available to residential customers only.

BAY RESTORATION FEE HARDSHIP EXEMPTION

The State of Maryland allows certain qualifying homeowners an exemption from paying the Bay Restoration Fee, a fee created by the State of Maryland in 2004 to fund upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities. Exemptions are available to homeowners only.

Hardship Exemption Qualification
In order to qualify for this exemption, an applicant must meet at least two (2)

Receiving energy assistance subsidy
Receiving public assistance – supplemental security income (SSI) or food stamps
Receiving veterans or social security disability benefits

Application Procedure
Customers who meet the Exemption Qualifications above must apply for the exemption and provide supporting documentation by completing the following steps:

omplete the Bay Restoration Fee hardship exempt application form available at the Easton Utilities Customer Service Center (201 N. Washington St., Easton, MD).
Download a copy of the Bay Restoration Fee hardship application
Provide a copy of Energy assistance benefit notice
Provide verification of medical assistance, food stamps, public assistance, security income(SSI), and veterans/social security disability benefits
Sign and date the form and submit it with the verification document to:

Easton Utilities
Attn: Customer Service Supervisor
PO Box 1189
201 N. Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601

You may also fax the application to 410-822-4987 or send by email to the billing department: lcopper@eucmail.com.
Renewal application shall be received by May 30 of each year.

Exemption Time Period
Exemptions are available for up to one year between July 1 and June 30.
Eligible applicants must renew their exemption each year.

For additional information, please call Easton Utilities 410-822-6110.

OTHER INFORMATION

Complaint Resolution
If you have a question or complaint about your bill, you may contact the Easton Utilities Credit Department by calling (410) 822-6110 or by visiting our offices. If you have a question or problem that has not been resolved to your satisfaction by Easton Utilities, you may wish to contact the Maryland Public Service Commission at the following address:

Office of External Relations
Maryland Public Service Commission
6 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

410-767-8028 or 1-800-492-0474
Fax: 410-333-6844
Email: mpsc@psc.state.md.us
www.psc.state.md.us
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Easton Utilities Customer Service and Reporting Outages/Emergencies:
410-822-6110 (24 hours)
Email: info@eastonutilities.com

Miss Utility:
1-800-441-8355 or 8-1-1

Neighborhood Service Center:
410-763-6745

Maryland Public Service Commission:
1-800-492-0474

Office of External Relations
410-787-8028
Fax: 410-333-6844
Email: mpsc@psc.state.md.us
www.psc.state.md.us