Utility Assistance
Click on each title below to see detailed information.
Flow charts on lowering heating bills; utility shut-off or restoration; home heating credit; water bill; fuel oil, propane, wood and coal are available on the Macomb County Department of Veteran Services website (while the flow charts were designed for veterans, many of the services are available to low-income individuals or families).
http://mvac.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/mvac/Utility%20Assistance.fin_.pdf
http://mvac.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/mvac/Utility%20Assistance.fin_.pdf
| If a person/family has received a shut off notice from a utility company, they should first contact the utility company to negotiate a payment plan to stop the shut off. |
If the person is an eligible low-income customer whose service has been shut off for non-payment of their bill before applying for Winter Protection, they may enroll in the program by paying 1/2th of any past due amount. They will not be required to pay a security deposit or fee for restoring their service. The 6% required monthly payment will be billed to them on their next monthly bill. Although the company may bill the 1/12th overdue amount, they cannot shut off service if the customer fails to pay it each month. A customer cannot have their energy shut off if they pay at least 6% of their estimated annual bill each month. When the program ends on March 31st, the customer must begin to pay the full monthly bill plus a portion of the amount owed from the winter months. For more information, call about the "Winter Protection Plan" through your local energy company:
| Consumers Energy | (800) 477-5050 www.consumersenergy.com |
| Detroit Edison | (800) 477-4747 https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/ |
| SEMCO Gas Company | (800) 624-2019 www.semcoenergygas.com |
| If the utility company will not work with the family, then the following resource is the starting point to prevent the shut off: |
Go to the local Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office to get help or a referral to any other Macomb utility assistance programs, even if the family does not qualify for any DHHS services.
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| Mt. Clemens District (586) 469-7700 serving Chesterfield Twp., Clinton Twp., Harrison Twp., Mt. Clemens, New Baltimore, St. Clair Shores. |
Sterling Heights District
(586 254-1500 serving Armada, Memphis, Lenox Township, New Haven, Richmond, the Macomb County section of Rochester, Romeo, Roseville, Utica Washington. |
Warren District (586) 427-0600 serving Center Line, Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, and Warren. |
Financial Assistance for energy shut offs – The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW) Program eligibility (FY 2016-2017):
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Total owing cannot exceed $3,000 for combined (heat and electric) accounts
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Account must be in the applicant’s name; if the account is not in the applicant’s name he/she must accept responsibility for the bill with a valid ID or Driver’s License
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The person at the appointment MUST have all required documents needed on their behalf
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A signed letter from the account holder granting them permission to apply on their behalf
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Account must be residential (not a commercial account)
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Applicant must pay illegal or unauthorized usage charges and security fees
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Accounts MUST have a past due balance (usage arrearage)
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If services are not restored within 30 days of THAW commitment, funds will be removed from account. Clients must have active service within 30 days.
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Clients must have made a payment on the account within the last 6 months ($450 on combined accounts, or $225 on single accounts). If not, the co-payment must be paid before THAW can process the application. (If a client faces hardship making the required co-pay, THAW program managers will process and approve exceptions on a case-by-case basis.)
| INCOME REQUIREMENTS |
A household is income eligible with an income of not more than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. 2016 Federal Poverty Guidelines for monthly income:
| Family | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person | 7 Person | 8 Person |
| Income | $1,485.00 | $2,002.50 | $3,037.50 | $3,555.00 | $4,072.50 | $58,159 | $4,591.25 | $5,111.25 |
| For each additional household member, add $520 | ||||||||
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To find a THAW screening site near you call the referral line at (800) 866-8429 and press 1 anytime during the message. When prompted, use your touch tone key pad to enter your zip code. Have paper and pencil ready, you will be provided with a list of THAW sites accepting applications in your area. Website: http://www.thawfund.org/ If there is no THAW site in your area, contact your utility provider, local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or community services agency for further assistance: |
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES |
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Mt. Clemens District |
Sterling Heights District |
Warren District |
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MCCSA COMMUNITY ACTION CENTERS |
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North Center, New Haven |
Central Center, Mt. Clemens (Communities north of 14 Mile Road and south of 23 Mile Road) |
South Center, Warren (Communities south of 14 Mile Road) |
Assurance of no service shut off for 21 days for persons with a qualifying, documented temporary medical emergency (written proof from a doctor that a medical emergency exists is required). Customers whose service was shut off before the medical emergency may have their service restored for up to 21 days with no required payment, restoration fee or deposit. Medical emergencies can be extended for up to 63 days.
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Consumers Energy |
(800) 477-5050 |
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Detroit Edison |
(800) 477-4747 |
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SEMCO Gas Company |
(800) 624-2019 |
Shut off protection for up to 90 days (extensions may also be requested) for a person in the military or their spouse called to full-time active military service by the President or the Governor during a time of declared national or state emergency or war is available from:
| Consumers Energy | (800) 477-5050 | www.consumersenergy.com |
| Detroit Edison | (800) 477-4747 | https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/ |
| SEMCO Gas Company | (800) 624-2019 | www.semcoenergygas.com |
Energy efficient education is available from The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), (800) 866-8429. Program eligibility is posted online. To apply online or download an application form at: thawfund.org/programs
Weatherization of homes is available for low income persons/families, including caulking, weather stripping and insulating. Available from Macomb Community Action Centers:
| Central Community Action Center | Mt. Clemens | (586) 469-6964 |
| North Community Action Center | New Haven | (586) 749-5146 |
| South Community Action Center | Warren | (586) 759-9150 |
Fixed monthly payments (“Budget Plan”) with the same costs for gas and electric services year round despite changes in the weather is available from your utility provider.
Help to pay your winter heating bills is available for seniors, low income individuals/families (110% of poverty guidelines), those receiving public assistance, or those receiving unemployment compensation by filing a home heating credit. Forms are available from the Michigan Department of Treasury (800) 367-6263 or at Consumers Energy bill payment offices. Applications are available from mid- to late January
and may be made through September 30 of each year.
Special tax benefit for low income people who work full or part-time. Those who qualify will owe less in taxes and may get a refund. Even a person who does not generally owe income tax may get a credit, but must file a tax return to do so. Individuals may apply for an Earned Income Credit with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service by filling out Form 1040 or 1040A and attach the EIC form. Application forms can be requested from the IRS at (800) 829-1040.
A year round protection plan from shut-off is available to customers with a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal income eligibility guidelines. The plan requires an initial down payment of 10 percent of your total bill Participating in a budget plan that spreads our your annual energy costs into equal payments plus equal monthly payments on your past-due balance. There is no online application. For more information call Consumers Energy, (800) 477-5050.
Service shut-off protection and protection from high payments during the winter months of November 1 - March 31 (“Winter Protection Plan”). Customers are responsible for electricity and natural gas used, but some of the costs can be deferred to future billings. Registration begins November 1. Participation does not relieve customers from the responsibility for paying for electricity and natural gas usage, but may prevent shut-off during the winter months. Eligibility: a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal income eligibility guidelines, 65 or older, receipt of Department of Human Services cash assistance (including State Supplemental Security Income), food stamps recipient, or the person receives Medicaid. There is no online application. To enroll, call Consumers Energy, (800) 477-5050.
Year-round protection from shut off if payments are maintained. This plan is designed to help DTE users manage their energy use by setting up a monthly payment plan. The past due balance is divided in equal installments for a period of 9 months to twelve months based on eligibility. The monthly payment amount is calculated based on the past due balance and projected future bills. For more information, contact DTE Customer Service, (800) 477-4747.
Protection for seniors and low-income customers from shutoff due to nonpayment between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a budget amount that consists of a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payment will increase to cover the winter bills and must be paid in full before the next heating season. Eligibility: age 62 or older, receive Department of Human Services cash assistance, receive Department of Human Services food assistance (FAP), receive Medicaid or meet 200% of the Federal Income Guidelines. For more information or to enroll, call between November 1 and March 31: DTE Energy, (800) 477-4747
Senior Winter Shut Off Protection - Customer of record is at least 65. Eligible customers may receive increased protection from gas service shut off during the heating season. Contact SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company, (800) 624-2019.
Winter Shut Off Protection for households with income at or below 150 percent of poverty level, or if you are at least 65 or you receive assistance from DHS, including food stamps, SSI, or Medicaid. Each month of the heating season, qualified applicants will be required to pay 7 percent of their estimated annual heating bill, plus a portion of their arrears. After March 31, the payment amount will change. Winter Protection customers will pay their full monthly bill plus a portion of the balance remaining from the heating season. They may also choose to pay the remaining heating season balance or pre-enrollment balance and enroll in the Budget Billing Plan. Effective dates: November 1 - March 31. Applicants may enroll November 1 by making a required budget payment. To enroll, contact SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company, (800) 624-2019.
Water payment services for residents of Center Line, Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Fraser, Macomb Township, New Haven, Shelby Township, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica, or Washington Township and have income at or below 150% of poverty are eligible for:
- Up to $1,000 per household per year. $25.00 monthly bill credit and help with past due water bills;
- A Home Water Audit for households above 120% of Average Usage;
- Home Repairs up to $1,000 per Household to Fix Minor Plumbing Issues Leading to High Usage. (Only for High Water Users above 120% of Average Usage);
- A Water Savings Kits and Consumer Training Classes, or Supportive Services
Available from the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP), (313) 386-9727 or visit:
www.waynemetro.org/wrap
Assistance for water bills can be found by going to the local Department of Health and Human Services office and ask for “State Emergency Relief Funding (SER) funding, available year round. Clients are eligible for $175.00 every fiscal year plus $70.00 toward the reconnection fee.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
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| Mt. Clemens District (586) 469-7700 serving Mt. Clemens, Clinton Township, Harrison Twp., St. Clair Shores, New Baltimore, Chesterfield |
Sterling Heights District (586) 254-1500 serving Armada, Bruce, Lenox, Macomb, Memphis, New Haven, Ray, Richmond, Rochester 48306, Romeo, Shelby, Sterling Hgts., Utica, Washington Twip |
Warren District (586) 427-0600 serving Center Line, Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, Warren. |
IF THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS MORE RESOURCES TO RESOLVE THEIR EMERGENCY, THEN CONTACT MACOMB COMMUNITY ACTION CENTERS: |
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NORTH CENTER, NEW HAVEN (586) 749-5146 |
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CENTRAL CENTER , MT. CLEMENS (586) 469-6964 |
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SOUTH CENTER, WARREN (586) 759-9150 |
Water bill assistance is available year-round until funds are exhausted. Available from The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), (800) 866-8429. Program eligibility is posted online. To apply online or download an application form go to: thawfund.org/programs
Free wireless services (cell phone, air time, texts) are available for low-income persons. To qualify for a free government cell phone in Michigan, the client must be receiving assistance from one of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Section 8 Housing
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- National School Lunch (Free Lunch Program Only)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
If the client does not receive assistance from any of the above programs, s/he may still be eligible if his/her household income is less than 135% of the national poverty level.
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Access Wireless |
https://www.accesswireless.com/lifeline/state?zipcode=48043 |
| Assurance Wireless | www.assurancewireless.com |
| Budget Mobile | https://budgetmobile.com/ |
| ReachOut | https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers/reachout-wireless |
| SafeLink Wireless | https://www.safelinkwireless.com/en/#!/newHome |
| Tag Mobile | https://www.tagmobile.com/ |
Flow charts on lowering heating bills; utility shut-off or restoration; home heating credit; water bill; fuel oil, propane, wood and coal are available on the Macomb County Department of Veteran services website (while the flow charts are specifically for veterans, many of the services are available for low-income individuals or families.) http://mvac.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/mvac/Utility%20Assistance.fin_.pdf
Affordable basic telephone assistance for low-income families (150% of the poverty guidelines). The benefits vary depending on telephone service providers. On average, most customers save about $100 off their annual telephone bills and approximately 50% off their local telephone installation charge, and have the option of blocking outgoing long distance calls free of charge. For more information, contact your local telephone company and ask for the “Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program.”
Free captions telephone that displays text of conversations in near real-time on a large color touchscreen so the person can see and hear what callers are saying is available to anyone with a hearing loss, regardless of their age, income, insurance or veteran status. The phone and service is paid for with federal funding. Available from ClearCaptions. To get a free phone, call Tracy Salisbury at (810) 360-9364 or tracy.dunk-salisbury@clearcaptions.com
Bill credits to help with energy bill payments is available to persons who have suffered a job loss, home foreclosure or are dealing with high or unexpected medical bills, emergency needs, such as food, clothing, transportation, shelter, home heating and medicine. The Salvation Army determines the People Care fund and assesses eligibility. For the information, contact your local Salvation Army office:
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Salvation Army |
55 Church St. Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 |
(586) 469-6712 |
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Salvation Army |
42590 Stepnitz Clinton Township, MI 48036 |
(586) 954-1838 |
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Salvation Army |
24140 Mound Rd. Warren, MI 48091 |
586) 754-7400 |
Year-round to assist low-income households that have a shut-off notice. For more information, contact the nearest Department of Human Services (DHS) office, call their Energy Assistance Hotline at (800) 292-5650 or visit www.mi.gov/mibridges. Do not have to be a DHS client to apply.
Medical Emergency Protection - If a person has a qualifying, documented, and temporary medical emergency, he/she could be protected from energy shut-off for nonpayment of his/her bill for up to 21 days. The person must provide written proof from a doctor that a medical emergency exists. Available from SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company, (800) 624-2019.
Shutoff protection for up to 90 days (extensions may be requested) for customers of record with the utility if called to full-time active military service by the President of the United States or the Governor of Michigan during a declared national or state emergency or war. Verification of active duty status may be required. Available from SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company, (800) 624-2019.Low-cost internet services/computer is available:
| Cost | Elligibility |
| To qualify for $9.95 a month plus tax internet service and a low-cost computer, your household must meet all the criteria. |
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Available from the Comcast Internet Essentials program. To apply, go to: https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials/apply Once approved, Internet Essentials participants have the option to purchase an internet-ready computer for the reduced price of $149.99 plus tax. |
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