Contact Michigan Gas Utilities at 800-401-6402
The Winter Protection Plan protects eligible senior and low-income customers from service shutoff and high utility bill payments during the winter months (November 1 through March 31). You may enroll in the Winter Protection Plan anytime between November 1 and March 31.
If you're an eligible low-income customer who participates in the Winter Protection Plan you will not have service discontinued during the winter months if you pay at least 7% of your estimated annual bill each month, plus 1/12 of any past due bills.
If you're an eligible senior citizen customer who participates in the Winter Protection Plan you are not required to make specific payments between November 1 and March 31 to ensure that your service will not be shut off. However, seniors are encouraged to pay whatever they can during the winter so they will not have large, unmanageable bills when the protection period ends.
When the protection period ends (March 31), you will need to pay the full monthly bill plus a portion of the amount owed from the winter months.
You qualify for the plan if you meet one of the following requirements:
To apply, fill out an Michigan Winter Protection Plan Application and mail it to the address listed on the form, or drop it off at your local office.
| Number of Household Members | 150% of Poverty Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $16,245 |
| 2 | $21,855 |
| 3 | $27,465 |
| 4 | $33,075 |
| 5 | $38,685 |
| 6 | $44,295 |
| 7 | $49,905 |
| 8 | $55,515 |
*Add $3,740 for each additional household member.
Contact Michigan Department of Treasury at 800-367-6263 or http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2008 tax year if you meet the income guidelines listed below.
If you qualify, the Home Heating Credit (HHC) provides assistance to help pay for your winter heating bills. Eligible customers must meet the standard credit income guidelines or alternate guidelines based on household income, exemptions and heating costs.
| Exemptions | Income Ceiling |
|---|---|
| 1 | $11,443 |
| 2 | $15,415 |
| 3 | $19,386 |
| 4 | $23,329 |
| 5 | $27,301 |
| 6 | $31,242 |
*For each exemption over 6, add $3,971.
You may claim an exemption for yourself, your spouse and other dependents. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled customers or customers with 50% or more of their income from unemployment compensation.
The Home Heating Credit claim form must be filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury before September 30, 2009. Forms are generally available wherever other tax forms are provided. You can also call the Michigan Department of Treasury or visit them on the internet at http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/.
The Deadline for filing a claim for the State of Michigan's Home Heating Tax Credit for the 2007 tax year was September 30, 2008. The new program income guidelines for the 2008 tax year will be added to this site in late December 2008.
Contact: U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families who meet certain requirements and file a tax return. Those who qualify will owe less in taxes and may get a refund. Even a person who does not generally owe income tax may qualify for the EIC, however must file a tax return to do so. If they are married, they must file jointly to qualify. To file, fill out Form 1040 or 1040A and attach the EIC.
If they are raising a qualifying child in their home in 2008, they may also be able to receive part of the credit in their paycheck during the year with Advance EIC. Get form W-5 from their employer or call 800-TAX-FORM.
Contact: Michigan's Department of Human Services (DHS)
You do not have to be a client of the DHS to apply for help through the SER. This program is available year-round to low-income households that have a heat or electric shutoff notice or a need for deliverable fuel. However, if you receive a DHS cash grant, you may vendor part of that grant towards heat and electric bills. Contact a DHS caseworker for information on the advantages of vendoring a cash grant.
Contact: Local Community Action Agency
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy conservation services to eligible low-income homeowners and renters. Weatherization may include caulking, weather stripping, insulating and smoke detectors.
Contact: Michigan Gas Utilities at 800-401-6402
You are protected from service shut-off for nonpayment of your natural gas and/or electric bill for up to 21 days if you have a proven medical emergency. You must provide written proof from a doctor that a medical emergency exists.
Contact: Michigan Gas Utilities at 800-401-6402
If you or your spouse is the Michigan Gas Utilities customer of record and either of you is called to full-time active military service by the President of the United States or the Governor of Michigan during a time of declared national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shut-off protection from your electric or natural gas service for up to 90 days. At the end of the active duty period, you must notify your utility company of your status and make payment arrangements.
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent non-profit agency that provides low-income individuals and families with emergency energy assistance and advocates for long-term solutions to energy issues.
Michigan Gas Utilities gives customers an opportunity to assist these low income households with their energy needs. Customers can donate on a monthly basis or make a one-time donation throughout the year. Michigan Gas Utilities matches all customer contributions (50 cents on every dollar) and sends to THAW for distribution to customers. Please consider helping others in your community by checking the appropriate box on your monthly bill.
Click for more information about THAW.
Michigan Gas Utilities wants to help customers manage their monthly energy bill. If you are experiencing payment difficulties, please call us at 800-401-6402. For more information about your energy use and managing your costs, visit Energy-Saving Tools & Ideas and All About My Bill.
