Maine PUC Expands Low-Income Assistance Program Eligibility and Funding
Summary
The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved significant amendments to its Low-income Assistance Program (LIAP), expanding eligibility to 150% of the federal poverty level and increasing annual funding to $33 million. The program will transition to a bill discount model for Central Maine Power and Versant Power customers.
What changed
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved substantial amendments to its Low-income Assistance Program (LIAP) rules, as detailed in Docket No. 2025-00241. Key changes include expanding eligibility to customers with household incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level who participate in any Maine DHHS means-tested program, and increasing the annual funding to $33 million, a nearly 50% increase over current levels. The program will also transition from a lump-sum assistance structure to an ongoing bill discount model for Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power customers, with discounts tiered based on income levels.
These amendments, which are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026, aim to improve program access and effectiveness. Regulated entities, specifically CMP and Versant Power, will need to implement the new bill discount structure and eligibility criteria by the effective date. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned beyond the effective date, the PUC will reevaluate funding levels in future years based on participation and costs. The changes are intended to provide more stable and predictable assistance to low-income utility customers in Maine.
What to do next
- Implement expanded eligibility criteria for LIAP by October 1, 2026.
- Transition to the new bill discount model for CMP and Versant Power customers by October 1, 2026.
- Establish annual bill discount rates for participating customers across four income tiers.
Source document (simplified)
MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION APPROVES MAJOR EXPANSION AND REDESIGN OF STATEWIDE LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIAP)
December 16, 2025
Hallowell, Maine - The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) today approved significant amendments to its statewide Low-income Assistance Program (LIAP) rules, expanding eligibility, increasing funding, and transitioning the program to a more stable and predictable bill discount model for participating Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power (Versant) customers.
The Commission approved the changes in Docket No. 2025-00241, a rulemaking proceeding to amend Chapter 314, which is the Commission's rule governing the Statewide Low-Income Assistance Program. Title 35-A M.R.S. section 3214 directs the Commission to oversee the implementation of a statewide financial assistance program for electric utility customers who are unable to pay their electricity bills.
Chapter 314 establishes the standard program design, administration, and funding mechanism for the statewide program, which is comprised of individual low-income assistance programs offered by each of Maines electric transmission and distribution utilities and administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. The rule also establishes a central fund to finance the program. Consumer-owned utilities will receive additional funding as a result of these changes and will continue operating their current lump-sum assistance programs.
Among the amendments approved by the Commission are several substantial updates intended to expand access and improve the effectiveness of the program, including an increase in the annual funding level to $33 million, expansion of eligibility to customers with household incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level who participate in any Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) means-tested program, and a transition from a lump-sum assistance structure to an ongoing bill discount program for CMP and Versant.
Commission Chair Phil Bartlett II said the approved funding level reflects both current affordability challenges and the Commissions expectation that participation will increase under the redesigned program.
"The $33 million funding level approved today is larger than originally proposed to reflect increased electricity rates and the real affordability challenges facing Maine households," Bartlett said. It represents nearly a 50 percent increase over the current funding level. Enrollment will be hard to predict as we move to automatic enrollment for customers who meet DHHS income eligibility requirements, and the Commission will reevaluate funding levels in future years as we gain experience with participation levels and the actual cost of the new program design.
Under the amended rules, each electric transmission and distribution utility will annually establish bill discount rates for participating customers across four income tiers relative to the Federal Poverty Guidelines: 075%, 76100%, 101125%, and 126150%. To promote statewide consistency, the Commission will provide a model each year for CMP and Versant to use to set their discount rates.
The amended rules do not include a usage cap, and participating customers will receive discounts based on income eligibility rather than electricity consumption thresholds.
The updated program is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Additional information, including the Commissions order and the amended rules in Docket No. 2025-00241, is available on the Commissions website www.maine.gov/mpuc.
About the Commission The Maine Public Utilities Commission regulates electric, telephone, water and gas utilities to ensure that Maine citizens have access to safe and reliable utility service at rates that are just and reasonable for all ratepayers while also helping achieve reductions in state greenhouse gas emissions. Commission programs include Maine Enhanced 911 Service, gas safety and Dig Safe. Philip L. Bartlett, II serves as Chair, Patrick Scully and Carolyn Gilbert serve as Commissioners.
Learn more about the Commission at https://www.maine.gov/mpuc/.
CONTACT: Susan Faloon, Media Liaison
CELL: 207-557-3704
EMAIL: susan.faloon@maine.gov
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