Client Roadmap - Utility Bill Consultation

Based upon the advice of my limited consultation with a volunteer attorney today, my roadmap for attempting to resolve my situation includes all of the following recommended (checked) steps:

For an incorrect water bill:

Call DPW customer service at (410) 396-5398 immediately.For a possible leak, ask for a turn-on/turn off test. If a leak is on your property, correct the leak or hire a plumber to correct the problem and submit a water and sewer adjustment request form. See “Requesting a Bill Adjustment” for how adjustment is calculated.If you think your meter is not accurate, request a meter flow test. There is a $109 fee, which will be refunded if your meter is broken.After taking the steps above, DPW will issue a decision about your complaint, which you have 10 days to appeal to DPW in writing.

For other water-related issues:

I should call DPW and request a payment plan to pay off the past-due balance on my water bill. (You must be the account holder and must not have breached a DPW payment plan within the past 12 months; 6 month payment plan with 0% down payment or 12 month payment plan with 50% down payment; 12 month payment plan with 0% down available to seniors, “highly vulnerable residents,” or those already enrolled in a hardship program. You must stay current with monthly billing in addition to making monthly payments towards arrearage.)I should have my doctor complete a medical hardship request and send the request to my utility company to avoid turnoff. I will still need to pay my monthly bills. I should apply for assistance with my water bill through the BH2O Assists program. I can apply online at: https://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/Bh2O/. I will also be sent an application for BH2O Assists. To submit my application for processing, I can either: (1) email my application to BCCAPBH2O@baltimorecity.gov; (2) mail it to ATTN: BH20 Processing Unit P.O. Box 22586 Baltimore, MD 21203; or (3) drop off the application at one of the city's Community Action Partnership (CAP) Centers. I will be given a list of CAP center locations. I should apply for funds to repair a leak in my house through the Homeserv Program. Call DPW at (410)-396-5298 to ask about the program.

For gas and electricity bill issues:

I should have my doctor complete a medical hardship request and send the request to my utility company to avoid turnoff. I will still need to pay my monthly bills. I should apply for financial assistance with a gas or electric bill. For help with this process, I will be referred to the Office of People’s Counsel at the end of my consultation. If I am not immediately connected to OPC, I should call them at (410) 767-8150.I received a termination (“shut off”) notice. I should first contact my utility company about an extension or payment arrangement before the notice expires. If the utility will not work with me, I should submit an Inquiry Dispute form to the Public Service Commission. For help with this process, I will be referred to the Office of People’s Counsel at the end of my consultation. If I am not immediately connected to OPC, I should call them at (410) 767-8150.My utilities have been shut off. Office of People’s Counsel staff can assist in determining the funds that may be available to me to have my service reconnected. I will be referred to the Office of People’s Counsel at the end of my consultation. If I am not immediately connected to OPC, I should call them at (410) 767-8150.If my gas or electric supplier was switched without my authorization, I must first contact the supplier and can then contact the public service commission with my dispute at 1-800-492-0474. If my supplier was switched without authorization, I am entitled to a refund of the cancellation fee and the difference between the supplier price and what I would have paid the utility. I will be referred to the Office of People’s Counsel at the end of my consultation. If I am not immediately connected to OPC, I should call them at (410) 767-8150.If I believe my gas or electric bill is wrong, I should request at meter test at 800-685-0123. If I am not satisfied with the meter test, I can then request a referee test. If the utility will not work with me, I should submit an Inquiry/Dispute form to the Public Service Commission. I will be referred to the Office of People’s Counsel at the end of my consultation. If I am not immediately connected to OPC, I should call them at (410) 767-8150.I should report all persons attempting to impersonate a utility bill company to the Maryland Attorney General’s office at (410) 528-8662.If my water or energy bills are too high, I should contact Civic Works at (410) 826-5955 Ext. 101 for information about housing repairs to help address high water bills, energy efficiency issues, or other housing related problems. Those over 65 should contact the HUBS program at 443-470-9871. Services are limited during the COVID-19 crisis.

For property tax issues:

I should apply for the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit by filling out an application and mailing it to: Department of Assessment and Taxation, Homeowners' Tax Credit Program, 301 W. Preston Street, 9th Floor, Room 900, Baltimore, MD 21201. I can also submit my application online at http://www.taxcredits.sdat.maryland.gov. For assistance, I should call Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition's tax credit hotline at 443-961-6220 or visit www.marylandtaxcredit.com. I am 70 or older and can apply for the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit retroactively for the past 3 years. I should contact the SOAR (Securing Older Adults Resources) Program about this process. Call SOAR's tax credit hotline at 443-961-6220 or visit www.marylandtaxcredit.com. I should apply for the Homestead Tax Credit. I should submit my application to the Department of Assessments and Taxation, Homestead Tax Credit Division, 301 West Preston Street, 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. The number is 410-767-2165. I can also apply online at sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov.If a tax lien certificate for my property was sold at the tax sale in July, I have the right to redeem my property for at least 9 months after the tax sale. The amount of interest is 12% per year. The sooner you pay, the less you will owe!

For other potential issues:

I should contact Civic Works at (410) 826-5955 Ext. 101 for information about housing repairs to help address high water bills, energy efficiency issues, or other housing related problems. Those over 65 should contact the HUBS program at 443-470-9871. Services are limited during the COVID-19 crisis.I should contact SOAR at 410-220-0494 (if over age 60) Seedco at 443-692-9434 to see if I am eligible for any additional programs or benefits that I am not receiving.I need additional legal help with another civil legal issue. I will be referred to Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS). Someone from MVLS will contact me. If I have not heard from them within two weeks, I should contact them at 410-547-6537.I should reach out to the Maryland Food Bank at 888-808-7327 to see if I am eligible to receive SNAP benefits (the food assistance program formerly known as "food stamps").