The Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) is preparing for a record number of energy assistance applications this year. OHEP expects to assist 270,000 households. Last year, OHEP received 243,252 applications.
State Secretary of Human Services, Rafael Lopez, explained that the increase in applications is due to both rising energy costs and an expanded income limit, which now allows more households to qualify for help. He also noted improvements in the application process to make it easier for families, including automatic enrollment and modernizing technology to reduce paperwork.
