<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 07.03.22.07" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="22" heading="Bill Assistance.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Subject to Regulations .03—.05 of this chapter and the availability of funds, the local agency or Administration may deliver bill assistance benefits on behalf of an eligible EUSP applicant by a payment, or payments, to the applicant's electric company.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Bill assistance benefits shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Available to help an eligible electric customer maintain electric service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Payable to the electric company, a retail electric supplier, or both, in the EUSP applicant's service area; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Returned by the eligible applicant's electric company to the Administration for reallocation when the electric company cannot apply the benefits to the applicant's active account.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Amount of Benefits.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Administration shall determine allowable benefit amounts for bill assistance based on:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The household's income poverty level;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The applicant's household's electric consumption during the 12 months before the date of application; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The applicant's status as a resident in public or subsidized housing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An eligible applicant may receive one bill assistance benefit during one program year.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Supplemental Bill Assistance Benefits. If the Administration authorizes a supplemental bill assistance benefit increase, the Administration shall send a written notification to eligible applicants and their respective electric companies.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>