Maryland Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments Section 6-406

      The Office shall develop and implement the following programs:

            (1)      An emergency energy crisis intervention program to prevent low income households, including the near poor, the elderly, and households with children and those on fixed incomes from experiencing danger to health or survival as a result of an energy emergency. The Office shall establish intake procedures for those experiencing an energy emergency and guidelines for the income eligibility and the program eligibility of applicants. The Office shall identify local public or private agencies to administer the crisis intervention program. The Office shall make payments to fuel and utility vendors who have provided service to persons qualifying for the crisis intervention program. The amount of assistance shall be based on need.

            (2)      One or more fuel and utility assistance programs to make payments on behalf of qualified households in order to defray fuel and utility costs. The Office shall determine program and income eligibility guidelines. The amount of assistance shall be based on need.