The Michigan Public Service Commission and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have awarded $54.5 million in Michigan Energy Assistance Program grants. The grants are to help those who fall behind on home energy bills.
The grants will go to nine community service agencies statewide, including Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit, The Heat and Warmth Fund, The Salvation Army, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Funding for the assistance grants comes from a 91-cent monthly surcharge assessed by utility providers and the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. More than 55,000 households received assistance last year in Michigan.
Customers are asked to contact their utility company or propane supplier as soon as they know they can’t pay the bill. Don’t wait for the shutoff notice. Taking steps to reduce consumption and keep bills manageable are also encouraged by MPSC and MDHHS.
Here are ways to seek assistance:
Call 211 or go to mi211.org to learn about agencies that may assist with your energy bill.
State Emergency Relief may help low-income households pay part of their heating or electric bills, assist in keeping utilities in service, or have service restored, assistance that’s available year round. Apply on MI Bridges or call your local MDHHS office for information. You’ll be required to verify your income, so you may want to work with your utility or 211 first on tips to navigate this process. Households must apply for SER assistance prior to receiving any MEAP services.
Michiganders can take a number of steps to cut home energy costs by reducing energy waste and smarter use of energy.
Check furnace filters and change them monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. Clean filters allow furnaces to run more efficiently.
Install a programmable thermostat and save on heating costs by lowering temperatures during daytime hours. Dressing for cold weather and turning down the thermostat another degree or two helps save money.
Seal air leaks around windows, doors, or utility access points.
Schedule a home energy assessment to identify ways to cut energy waste. Rebates on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliances, lighting, insulation and other improvements are available through utilities.
Go to the MPSC’s Be Winterwise page for more information, or check out additional recommendations on reducing energy bills from the U.S. Department of Energy.
For more information about MEAP, visit the MPSC’s MEAP page. For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter.
Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland
