Maryland’s moratorium on utility shut-offs expires this weekend. But if you’re behind on utility bills, BGE says it’s not too late to get help, even if you have been getting turn-off notices since October. 

BGE senior vice president Tamla Olivier says 25% of customers in debt have not responded to turn-off notices. But she said there is still time to get assistance funds from the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP.)

“Those funds are first come first serve,” Olivier said. “So we would encourage them to reach out to us, to OHEP immediately.”

Olivier said you can get 55 days of guaranteed service after applying for assistance. She said BGE will continue helping customers shortly after the moratorium expires so they can secure assistance. 

Linda Foy, a BGE spokesperson, said shutting off people’s utilities is a last resort. 

“If our customers reach out to us and work payment arrangements out with us, it is unlikely that we would have to disconnect any customers," Foy said. "But we do need them to reach out to us."