BGE Reminds Customers Challenged by their Energy Bills to Take Advantage of Flexible Payment Options and Energy Assistance Funds
BALTIMORE (Jan. 14, 2021) – BGE urges residential customers who are not current on their BGE payments to visit BGE.com/billhelp or call 1.800.685.0123 immediately to speak with a customer care representative about establishing flexible payment arrangements and options for energy assistance grants. BGE recognizes the financial challenges customers may be facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is continuing to work with every customer who needs assistance to ensure the continuation of their gas and electric services.
Service terminations are always a last resort and can often be avoided if customers contact us to discuss options before they fall behind in their payments. BGE has expanded billing and payment options to include:
· Elimination of down payment/security deposit requirements to start a payment arrangement
· Extension of payment periods for balances for a minimum of 12 months for residential customers or 24 months for customers receiving energy assistance from the state's Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
· BGE will also connect customers to agency energy assistance funds to which BGE has increased contributions.
“The most important step that customers who need assistance can take is to contact us as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are in crisis or at risk of service suspension. The time is now to call us or visit BGE.com/billhelp,” said BGE’s chief customer officer, Tamla Olivier. “We will work with every single customer who contacts us to help them keep their service and make a plan to maintain future access.”
For fastest service, customers should visit bge.com/billhelp to set up a payment arrangement. Customers can also set up a payment arrangement by selecting the option provided in the greeting when calling BGE. To make a payment, customers should utilize bge.com/payment or call 833-209-5245.
BGE customers can also apply for energy assistance through the Maryland Department of Human Services, by contacting their Local Energy Assistance Office, or by calling the Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347. BGE customers who have completed the energy assistance process with the State can also apply for further assistance with the Fuel Fund of Maryland.
As part of our comprehensive response to the pandemic, BGE has made the following contributions of shareholder dollars to support our customers:
· $1.5 million to the Fuel Fund of Maryland to assist limited income residential customers with their bills. This is in addition to approximately $2 million in customer funds that are currently directed by BGE for customer assistance through the Fuel Fund.
- $1 million in funding in 2020 to county-administered business pandemic relief funds in central Maryland to assist small businesses that have been challenged by the economic hardships of the pandemic.
- $15 million pledge to support small businesses, including BGE’s Energizing Small Business Grants program launching on Jan. 21 that will provide eligible businesses grants up to $20,000.
Avoid Potential Scams Threatening Disconnection
All customers should be wary of potential scams threatening disconnection. Scammers have demanded immediate payment to avoid service disconnection via phone call, text message, and email. As a reminder:
- If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call BGE at 800-685-0123.
- Utility representatives will never ask or require a customer to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid
- Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before
- BGE already has your account information and past bills. Do not give this information
- Customers can make payments to BGE online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal, mail or in person.
- Any customer who believes he or she has been a target of a scam is urged to contact their local police and call BGE immediately at 800-685-0123 to report the situation. Also, head to bgenow.com for more information on utility scammers and third party suppliers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard Yost, richard.yost@bge.com
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)
BGE Media Hotline: 410.470.7433
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