December 31, 2020 – The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) will have approximately 40 percent more funding for FY21 than FY20.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said there will be more than $154 million available through various programs to help people pay their heat, electric and gas bills. For FY20, that amount was $110 million.

December 18, 2020 – Ameren Missouri is voluntarily suspending the utility disconnections for their customers until January 1, 2021. Officials from Ameren encourage customers to still pay their utility bills to avoid large debts next year when disconnect protections are lifted.

December 11, 2020 – The Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) is now helping low -income households pay their winter heating bills through the Home Energy Winter Crisis Assistance program. From November 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, the program has assisted more than 2,600 low-income households pay their energy bills.

December 4, 2020 – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that beginning December 1, some vulnerable populations will be issued automatic LIHEAP payments to help with winter heating bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

November, 20, 2020 – The Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Fuel Assistance Program in Massachusetts is now in full swing, helping thousands of low-income households pay their utility bills. In 2019, the program assisted more than 25,000 households in paying their utility bills.

November 13, 2020 – Despite moratoriums ending in Maryland on November 15, Pepco customers will not be cutoff if they are behind on their bills. The extended protection by Pepco will also prevent residents in DC and Virginia from disconnections.

According to a spokesperson from Pepco, power will not be turned off until January, but the official disconnection warnings will be distributed next week. Nearly 132,600 customers behind on their bills will be protected from utility shutoffs.

November 6, 2020 – The Office of Community Services (OCS) announced the release of $3.36 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for FY21. The funding is regular block-grant funding and provides funding for LIHEAP until December 11, 2020.

October 30, 2020 - The subsidy portion of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Kentucky begins on November 2, according to the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council. Eligible applicants may receive one-time payment vouchers for energy assistance.

October 23, 2020 – As the winter months approach, some state’s utility moratoriums are going into effect to protect low-income utility customers from having disconnects during winter conditions. Minnesota’s “Cold Weather Rule,” for example, went into effect Oct 15 to protect low-income utility customers from disconnections during the cold, winter months.

October 16, 2020 – Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule is now in effect and protects low-income customers from utility disconnections until April 15. To be eligible, customers must establish a payment plan with their utility provider.