Consumer Resource Directory - Utility & Weatherization Assistance

Utility & Weatherization Assistance

- DTE Energy: Payment Assist Programs
- Consumers Energy: Payment Assistance Program
- The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
- State Energy Relief (SER)
- Home Heating Credit
- Weatherization Assistance Program
- AT&T
- Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program
- Community Action Agencies
- Additional Resources

Utility Payment Assistance Programs may be able to assist people with their utility bill payments if they meet the eligibility requirements. Financial eligibility requirements and benefits are subject to change.

DTE Energy: Payment Assist Programs
(800) 477-4747 – Residential Billing Department
www.dteenergy.com

Case Management helps low-income customers reduce their unpaid balances by providing a personal payment plan, agency referrals, and follow-up. To be eligible for enrollment you must have:

An unpaid balance greater than $600
No record of illegal usage
Verify source of income and size of household
A household income at or below $13,965 for single household; at or below $18,735 for 2 person household. Contact DTE for financial eligibility for larger households. Amount subject to change.

Winter Protection Plan protects older adults and low-income customers from shut-off between December 1 and March 31. Confirm payment requirements during this period with DTE. To enroll, call between November – March. Eligibility:

Age 62 or older – no financial requirements
Age 61 or younger must be low-income (same as Case Management figures) and have a past due balance. A small portion of balance must be paid at enrollment.

Consumers Energy: Payment Assistance Program
(800) 477-5050
www.consumersenergy.com

Winter Protection Plan may protect older adults (age 65 and older) and low income customers from service shut-off and high payments during the winter season, November 1 – March 31. Enroll begins November 1. Eligibility:

Age 65 or older – no financial requirement
Household income at or below 200% of poverty level. An income at or below $19,600 for 1 person household; at or below $26,400 for 2 person household. Contact Consumers Energy for larger households. Amount subject to change.

People Care is a fund supported by donations to assist low-income Consumer Energy customers with emergency needs, such as home heating, food, clothing, transportation, shelter, and medicine. Bill credits are also provided. Salvation Army and Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency locations (listed below) distribute the money and bill credits. Individuals must apply for State Emergency Relief at their local Department of Human Services office for a determination prior to application for People Care funds.

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
(800) 866-THAW (800-866-8429)
www.thawfund.org

THAW provides energy assistance to low-income residents and to utility customers who are unable to pay due to an emergency. Applicants must have exhausted all federal and state funded programs to be eligible for assistance.

State Emergency Relief (SER)

The State Emergency Relief program is a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that provides immediate help to individuals and families facing conditions of extreme hardship or to emergencies that threaten health and safety. Program covers needs such as payment for heating fuel, electricity, home repairs, relocation assistance, rent assistance, or burial. Eligibility is based on demonstration of immediate need (shut-off notice, declared need for a deliverable fuel, verified need for energy related home repair), income and assets. It is primarily designed to maintain low-income households who are normally able to meet their needs but occasionally need help when unexpected emergency situations arise. The SER program is not an appropriate solution to ongoing or chronic financial difficulties. Apply at local Department of Human Services office. *See Department of Human Services section for office locations.

Home Heating Credit

The Home Heating Credit is a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) available to all income-eligible households. The Michigan Department of Treasury determines eligibility and makes the payments. You do not need to file a state income tax return to receive the credit. Eligibility is based on income, number of exemptions and household heating costs. Claims can be filed as early as January, but must be filed by Sept. 30 for the previous heating season. For additional information, call the Energy Assistance Hotline at (800) 292-5650; also online at www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides free home energy conservation services to income-eligible homeowners and renters. No age requirement. These services reduce energy use and lower utility bills. Services include: wall, attic and foundation insulation, air leakage reduction, smoke detectors, furnace safety check, and dryer venting. Funding is provided by the Department of Energy. Call the Weatherization office for your community for an appointment and information regarding eligibility:

City of Dearborn
Economic and Community Development Department
13615 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
(313) 943-2180
City of Dearborn

Downriver Community Conference
15100 Northline Road, Southgate, MI 48195
(734) 362-3475
Allen Park, Brownstown Township, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Isle Township, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, Wyandotte.

Wayne County Community Development Division
33030 Van Born, Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 727-7297
Belleville, Canton Township, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Huron Township, Inkster, Livonia, Northville, Northville Township, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Redford, Romulus, Taylor, Van Buren Township, Wayne, Westland.

AT&T
(800) 244-4444
www.att.com

Directory Assistance Exemption offers free local directory assistance to AT&T customers with visual impairments who have difficulty using a telephone directory. Physician documentation is required.

Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program

The Link-Up America and Lifeline Telephone Assistance Programs make basic local telephone service more affordable for income-eligible individuals and families throughout Michigan. Link-Up America reduces the installation charge for phone service by 50%, up to $30 for qualified customers. Lifeline provides discounts for basic local wireline telephone service on monthly telephone bills. Some providers combine the benefits of both services into the Lifeline program (one application).
Eligibility:

Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guideline* OR participate in one of the following assistance programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch.
*The 2007 figures are $15,315 for 1 person household; $20,535 for a 2 person household.
If income-eligible person is age 65 or older, they will receive a slightly higher discount credit.

AT&T customers: Call (800) 621-8650 or visit online at www.att.com/lifeline. All others should contact their wireline telephone service provider.

Community Action Agencies

Depending on the distribution of government funding, Community Action Agencies may be able to provide financial assistance for utility bills that have been or are at risk of being shut-off. Customer must apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) at the local Department of Human Services office prior to contacting a Community Action Agency. If not eligible for SER, keep the determination letter to verify application had been made.

ACCESS:
(313) 842-7010
www.accesscommunity.org
Health Emergency Lifeline Programs:
(888) 435-5655
Services for persons with HIV/AIDS.
Livonia Department of Community Resources:
(734) 466-2540
Livonia residents only
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org
Dearborn Heights: (313) 563-4457
Downriver: (734) 282-0930
Plymouth: (734) 453-5464
Western-Wayne: 722-3660
Society of St. Vincent de Paul:
(877) 788-4623
www.svdpdet.org
Samaritan Wyandotte Ministerial Association:
(734) 285-8450
Wyandotte residents only
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Main Service office:
(313) 843-2550

Region 2: (734) 266-0190
Serves Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, Livonia, Northville, Northville Twp, Plymouth, Plymouth Twp.

Region 3: (734) 782-6332
Serves Belleville, Canton Twp, Huron Twp, Romulus, Sumpter Twp, Van Buren Twp, Wayne, Westland

Region 4: (734) 955-6752
Serves Brownstown Top, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven

Region 5: (313) 843-2550
Serves Allen Park, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rough, Southgate, Wyandotte

Additional Resources

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
(313) 224-5045

Michigan Public Service Commission
(800) 292-9555
www.michigan.gov/mpsc