Don’t wait for a shut off notice if you can’t pay your energy bill. That’s the message from the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.
There is help available, but residents need to seek it early. The first step is to contact your energy provider, like DTE, SEMCO, or a local propane supplier, to see what they can do to help with payment plans. There is also assistance available through the State Emergency Relief Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).
Michigan Public Service Commission Chair, Dan Scripps, said, “There are still MEAP funds available to assist customers in need of energy assistance and self-sufficiency services. Also, the amount of funding available per person was increased from $2,000 to $3,000, but goes back down after Sept. 30, so it’s important that customers seek assistance right away if they have a past due account or are struggling to pay their energy bills.”
The fastest way to access the energy bill help is to go to Michigan.gov/mibridges or to dial 211 or go to mi211.org.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
