Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. (BGE) is once again offering you the chance to play the role of secret Santa.
The utility is bringing back its annual Fuel Fund of Maryland program for struggling customers and has introduced the new Gift of Energy program that allows you to pay the bill of any customer you choose, according to a release.
You can contribute to the Fuel Fund of Maryland, which helps struggling customers keep up with their bills, online or through postage-paid envelopes that should arrive in your December and January bills.
According to the release, the customers must have applied for assistance through the fuel fund and the contributions only will be applied after exhausting other resources.
New this year, customers who receive their bills electronically will receive a “virtual Fuel Fund envelope” by email.
Also, by using a special form available on BGE's website or by calling 410-685-0123, you donate any amount to the accounts of specific customers. Donations will apply on a future bill as a credit to the recipients’ BGE account, according to the release.
The recipients will be notified that they have received a gift credit. The donors may also notify the recipients or remain anonymous.
A recipient can be any customer and they don’t have to qualify for energy assistance or any special programs.
“The season of giving is the perfect time for those who have the means to share the warmth with those in need and to help make the holidays brighter for those families throughout Central Maryland who may be financially challenged,” Jeannette M. Mills, senior vice president and chief customer officer for BGE, said in the release. “Every penny contributed goes to those who need assistance.”
Since the Fuel Fund was founded 30 years ago it has helped thousands of individuals and families, including almost 21,000 people last year, according to the release.
We at the Fuel Fund of Maryland were very dismayed to read your comment and hope that we can make your Christmas a much merrier occasion. Our mission is to help people who are experiencing difficulties paying their utility bills, ideally before their services are terminated. I hope you will get in touch with us to see if we can get your lights and heat back on. You can reach us through www.fuelfundmaryland.org or by phone at 410-821-3022 X5. By the way, Fuel Fund of Maryland is not part of BGE although we work closely with them. We are a private, nonprofit organization that raises funds for distribution through 14 local fuel fund agencies. There are income guidelines and paperwork to deal with but, unfortunately, a $7,000 bill is no longer an extraordinary event. Contact us and we can try to help.
We were very sorry to read about your situation, and would like to learn more about your circumstances, and how we might be able to help. Past-due bills higher than $5,000 actually are quite rare; less than one-half of 1 percent of all BGE customers have arrearages that high. So we would want to investigate what led up to this. Without knowing more details it is very difficult for us to comment on what might have happened. But if you call us at 410.685.2200 we can discuss your situation, possible remedies and resources that may be able to help you, and any disputes you may have about your bills. We absolutely want to work with customers who are facing difficulties paying their bills, and encourage any customer in this situation to call us before they are faced with a service interruption. Jeannette M. Mills BGE Chief Customer Officer
I reside in Columbia Maryland and I have been without lights for about 9 months. My three children and I have scuffled from place to place and have spent many days in our powerless home. I sought help from BGE, the Office of People Council and Community Action, but because the bill is in my husband's name whom I am separated from, I was denied any type of assistance. I attempted to change the bill into my name, but again I was denied. As the days got colder I was forced to take matters into my own hands. Now with it being late November, the days are cold and the nights are colder...we are dressed with outside attire in our home during the day and are super layering for warmth at night. I am crying out for HELP...please point me in the right direction! M. Hope
M. Hope