February 28, 2022 — Testimony

SB 905 would establish one-on-one support for low-income seniors aged 60-years of age and older to help them successfully apply for energy assistance. SB 905 would require the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), which administers the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP, also known as the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)), to establish four centers located in Central Maryland, the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland to administer the Silver Energy Savers Program. These Centers will provide dedicated phone support to older Marylanders to answer questions about the MEAP application and the numerous forms of documentation. The Silver Energy Savers Program will also transport applications from older applicants to energy assistance intake offices, which is critical for homebound older adults