MVLS Launches Utility Bill Assistance Project for Baltimore City Residents Struggling with Water, Gas and Electric Bills

10/8/20

In Collaboration with PBRC and OPC, MVLS Provides Legal Help for Utility Bill Issues

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services to Marylanders facing financial hardships, announced today that it is partnering with the Pro Bono Resource Center (PBRC) and the Office of People’s Council (OPC) to launch a citywide program that will help Baltimore City residents navigate their water, gas and electric bill issues. The program, Utility Bill Assistance Project (UBAP), will feature multiple utility bill assistance clinics with MVLS, OPC and PBRC providing free counsel to participants over the phone. This program, made possible through a generous grant from the Abell Foundation, will also provide resources to recruit and train volunteer attorneys who will support the initiative.

“Though critical for everyday life, water has simply become unaffordable for Baltimore City’s residents who are experiencing financial hardships,” said Amy Hennen, director of advocacy and financial stabilization, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS). “These residents often face plumbing repairs that increase the cost of their water service. And now, the City is in the midst of a three-year rate increase, which on average, will raise a customer’s annual water bill to $1,115 by 2022, more than triple the average bill in 2010. The legal services provided by MVLS and PBRC through the Utility Bill Assistance Project will give Baltimore City residents a level playing field where all people – regardless of income level – can alleviate the stress and anxiety of navigating utility bill issues on their own.”

Utility Bill Assistance Program

The Utility Bill Assistance Program facilitated by MVLS and PBRC will provide the following free services:

  • Paring participants with skilled volunteer attorneys who will walk them through the steps needed to rectify their utility bill challenge
  • Counseling on utility discount programs and eligibility, including ways to apply for utility discount programs
  • Representing participants in court or for the duration of their case
  • Exploring other legal challenges that these individuals might be facing
  • Connecting participants with other crucial resources in Maryland


Clinics will be held on a rolling basis. Please call the Pro Bono Resource Center at 443-703-3052 to learn more and to reserve your virtual spot.

To learn more about Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) or to become a volunteer, please visit www.mvlslaw.org.

About Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)

Founded in 1981 with a mission to provide access to justice for all, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) serves Marylanders in need of free legal services by offering legal counseling and full representation for civil cases. MVLS matches clients with volunteer lawyers and staff attorneys who represent them in a wide range of consumer, family and workforce re-entry situations, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, income tax disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, estate planning, criminal record expungement, divorce/custody and deed changes. For more information about MVLS’ services, visit www.mvlslaw.org.