Michigan Energy Assistance Program Grantees Announced

Category: Government Benefits and Programs

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), a division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), has announced the 2019 awardees of Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grant funding.

​The nine (9) service agencies awarded a total of $54.3 million in MEAP grant funds for utility assistance and self-sufficiency programs are:

• The Salvation Army                                                        Award: $11.4 million
• TrueNorth Community Services – Freemont               Award: $10.4 million
• The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) – Detroit         Award: $8.2 million
• United Way of Southeastern Michigan- Detroit         Award: $6.75 million
• Michigan Community Action (MCA) – Okemos           Award: $6 million
• United Way of Jackson County – Jackson                   Award: $5 million
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul – Detroit                      Award: $4.1 million
• Superior Watershed Partnership – Marquette           Award: $2.4 million
• Barry County United Way                                             Award: $150,000

MEAP-funded Utility Assistance Programs: LSP, CARE, and MAP
Energy consumers should be aware that the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan, erroneously referred to as the United Way LSP program is a MEAP funded utility assistance initiative.

The following is a list of MEAP funded energy assistance programs:

• DTE Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP)
• Consumer’s Energy Consumer Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE) program
• SEMCO Monthly Assistance Program (MAP)

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) has updated its website announcing open enrollment of the Affordable Payment Plan and Self-Sufficiency program for DTE and SEMCO customers.  It states the plan will lower monthly utility bills over a two-year period.  This Affordable Payment Plan is the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Program (LSP) under a different program.

Consumers should also be aware that utility bill payment assistance may be administered under different program names most likely provide assistance through the same funding source.
Applicants should understand program funding and how they are administered before applying for assistance.  Refer to the Michigan Energy Assistance Grants article for more information.

​
​Utility Bill Payment Assistance Limitations
Utility bill payment assistance is a critical issue in Michigan due to the implications of health and safety especially for children, seniors, and the disabled during the harsh winter months. Additionally, assistance programs remain insufficient to meet the needs of the many low-income households with rising energy costs in the region.

​According to the 2017 Home Energy Affordability Gap report, it is estimated that of the 977,5,000 eligible households for utility assistance falling 150% below the poverty line in 2017, less than 500,000 received energy assistance through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), State Emergency Relief (SER), and/or the Home Heating Credit.

Besides an increase in funding levels from $49.5 million for the 2017-18 funding year to $54.3 million for FY19, a streamlined system has been implemented to broaden the reach of these programs and ensure continuity of care.  As well, eligible households may qualify for both short and long-term assistance as well as financial and other energy-related supportive services.

Low-income households in Michigan may seek utility bill payment assistance in two ways:

• State Emergency Relief (SER) funds are available to households in Past Due or Shut-off status.
• Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) in past due status only.  Not available to households whose services are already disconnected.

The assistance limit for State Emergency Relief (SER) funds are $850 for electric and $850 for heat, that’s a total of $1700.

Applicants whose account balances exceed the $1700 limit for SER funds may apply for both programs to restore services or reduce past due balances in order to qualify for MEAP assistance programs such as the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan.

That is, if your service has been disconnected, you must apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) to restore services.  Then, you may qualify for long-term assistance through MEAP-funded programs to manage monthly bills.

How to Apply for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
The Michigan Public Service Commission has specified some changes in the application process for the 2018-19 funding year.

Applicants must apply directly through the MIBridges website or completing a paper application obtained through local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offices or community service agencies.

​Do not submit the United Way LSP application for assistance.

​Two important application changes this year:

• Households seeking assistance must complete a MDHHS application specifying their service agency choice.
• Households seeking assistance may apply year-round rather than the usual open enrollment months between November 1 and May 31.

Selecting a Service Provider
Households seeking assistance may enroll in utility assistance programs by:

• Contacting an area MEAP grantee directly
• Call 2-1-1
• Visit www.mi211.org
• DTE customers may visit: https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/home/billing-and-payments/common/energy-assistance/low-income-self-sufficiency-plan

The Community Advocate Network of Michigan will update its Utility Assistance information in the Community Resources section as soon as new reports are released relative to program design changes and anticipated household reach indicators for each service agency.

​However, applicants may refer to this information for general information on available services and eligibility criteria within each community organization.

​Was this post helpful?  Leave a comment and please share with your followers.  If you’re in need of case management services or need additional assistance complete the confidential Contact Form.  Also, consider donating to continue this important work and expand our reach to the broader community.
Contact Us:
http://www.canmichigan.com/reach-out-to-us.html
 
Related Posts:
Community Resources Section – Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) Chart & Utility Assistance
http://www.canmichigan.com/community-resources-michigan.html
Michigan Energy Assistance Grants
http://www.canmichigan.com/blog/michigan-energy-assistance-grants
Energy Security in Michigan: The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Funding Factor
http://www.canmichigan.com/blog/energy-security-in-michigan-the-funding-factor
Michigan Energy Assistance Programs (MEAP) FY19
http://www.canmichigan.com/blog/michigan-energy-assistance-program-meap-fy19
Michigan State Emergency Relief (SER) Program
http://www.canmichigan.com/blog/michigan-state-emergency-relief-ser-program-structure-benefits-and-eligibility
Michigan Home Heating Credit
the-michigan-home-heating-credit.html

Links:
2018-19 MEAP Grant Awards for Low-Income Energy Assistance
www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,9535,7-395-93308_93327_93336---,00.html
MPSC, MDHHS Announce 2018-2019 MEAP Grant Awards for Low-Income Energy Assistance, Self-Sufficiency
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-11472-479875--,00.html
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) Assistance Programs
https://thawfund.org/programs/  
2017 Home Energy Affordability Gap Report
http://www.homeenergyaffordabilitygap.com/03a_affordabilityData.html
MI Bridges
https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/s/isd-landing-page?language=en_US
DTE Energy: Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Program (LSP)
https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/home/billing-and-payments/common/energy-assistance/low-income-self-sufficiency-plan
MDHHS Heat and Utilities
www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531_62127---,00.html

Utility Assistance Resources:
DTE Energy – Utility Assistance Programs
PH:      (800) 477-4747
https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/home/billing-and-payments/common/energy-assistance/low-income-programs
Consumers Energy CARE - Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy Program
PH:      (800) 477-5050
https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/programs-and-services/payment-assistance/care-program
SEMCO Energy - Payment Assistance Resource Page
PH:      (800) 624-2019
http://www.semcoenergygas.com/main/Default
United Way 2-1-1
http://www.mi211.org/
Detroit Water and Sewage Department – Customer Service
PH:      (313) 267-8000
http://detroitmi.gov/dwsd
Michigan Gas Utilities
PH:      (800) 401-6402