Fuel Fund Of Central Md Inc

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES FOR HOUSEHOLD HEATING AND UTILITY BILLS.

THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND SERVES AS A VITAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL COMPONENT OF THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET DELIVERING FLEXIBILITY THROUGH INDEPENDENCE, ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH SOUND GOVERNANCE, AND QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY THROUGH MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF FUEL FUND ASSISTANCE IS FOR A FAMILY STRUGGLING TO AFFORD A UTILITY BILL (WITH A HOUSEHOLD INCOME AT OR BELOW 200-PERCENT OF POVERTY) AND THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON AND HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL. THE SUPPORT WE PROVIDE IS A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. OUR HELP PREVENTS FIRES, ENABLES CHILDREN TO HAVE COOKED MEALS AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK, FREES UP RESOURCES TO PAY RENT, SUPPORTS LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS, AND EVEN SAVES MONEY TOWARD A HOUSEHOLD'S NEXT UTILITY BILL.THROUGH THE UTILITY ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT, THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO LOW-INCOME MARYLAND HOUSEHOLDS TO KEEP THEIR POWER SAFELY CONNECTED DURING TIMES OF A UTILITY HARDSHIOP (POWER TURNED OFF, IMPENDING TURN OFF NOTICE OR HIGH UTILITY ARREARAGE). BEYOND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF FUEL FUND SUPPORT IS THE DISTRIBUTION OF ENERGY CREDITS. BGE CURRENTLY MAKES UP TO $2 MILLION IN RATEPAYER-FUNDED CREDITS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, WHICH ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE FUEL FUND. AT THE RATE OF $.50 FOR EVERY $1 OF PRIVATE MONEY PAID ON A BILL, THE FUEL FUND APPLIES THE CREDITS TO THE BGE CUSTOMER'S BILL AT THE TIME OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPROVAL. THE ADVANTAGE CREATED BY USE OF THESE CREDITS HAS DIRECTLY RESULTED IN MORE HOUSEHOLDS BEING ASSISTED BY THE FUEL FUND ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FUEL FUND CAN SATISFY A $300 BILL BY UTILIZING $100 IN DONATED FUNDS COMBINED WITH BGE CREDITS PLUS OTHER CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS (SUCH AS FOUNDATION FUNDS) ON BEHALF OF THE CLIENTS AS WELL AS A PAYMENT BY THE CLIENT. THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT CAN LEVERAGE BGE RATEPAYER-FUNDED CREDITS.MARYLANDERS WITH INCOMES BELOW 50 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL PAY NEARLY 38 PERCENT OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME FOR HOME ENERGY, WHEREAS 6 PERCENT IS CONSIDERED AFFORDABLE. ENERGY POVERTY IS A CRIPPLING FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, LEAVING LITTLE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING, FOOD, OR MEDICAL CARE.FROM JULY 1, 2021 - JUNE 30, 2022, THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND PROVIDED APPOXIMATELY $1.3 MILLION DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 4,417 LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE BGE SERVICE TERRITORY WHO WERE STRUGGLING WITH A UTILITY HARDSHIP.IN FY 22, THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND IMPLEMENTED A NEW PROGRAM, SILVER LIGHTS, WHICH MEETS THE NEEDS OF SENIORS (60+) AND THOSE WITH CRITICAL MEDICAL NEEDS. A DEDICTED FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND STAFF PERSON PROVIDES 1:1 NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SILVER LIGHTS CLIENTS THROUGH THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROCESS, REMOVING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR THIS DEMOGRAPHIC. FROM JULY 1, 2021 - JUNE 30, 2022, THE FUEL FUND OF MARYLAND ASSISTED 1,747 SILVER LIGHTS HOUSEHOLDS, A 336 PERCENT INCREASE FROM FY 21.