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The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has confirmed the selection of nine (9) participating programs to administer the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and funding levels for the 2019 fiscal year. Announcement of the participating community organizations awaiting fund disbursement for the FY19 provision of winter utility bill assistance and self-sufficiency programs are subject to approval of state and federal appropriations budgets. Michigan Senate Bill 848 (FY19 State Budget) was signed and submitted by Governor Rick Snyder on June 21, 2018. FY19 Funding Factor The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced the participating energy providers and those who have opted-out of the 2019 LIEAF surcharge and their estimated contributions to energy assistance programs. A link is provided below of participating and non-participating energy providers. The surcharge is a funding factor imposed by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) each year to fund utility assistance programs. The FY18 funding factor for electric providers was .93 cents per meter. The FY19 funding factor of .93 cents per meter was adopted on July 24, 2018 but should be finalized upon approval by the State Administration Board. MEAP Grant Proposals MEAP Grant Proposals were issued on June 29, 2018 with a return due date on July 31, 2018 to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) a division of the Department of Labor and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Community organizations were required to submit the proposal requesting MEAP grant funds for participating in the provision of assistance for utility bill payment and self-sufficiency programs to energy consumers. MEAP Grant Proposals state an anticipated grant period for the 2019 fiscal year to begin on October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. MEAP Energy Assistance Programs Community organizations (private or public) or local governments are required to submit the request for grant funding (RFP) that includes the development of a self-sufficiency plan for eligible consumers. The consumer must participate in the development of the self-sufficiency plan and it must be designed to resolve “energy crisis” situations, including:
Michigan Energy Assistance Act (MCL 400.1231) Energy Crisis Guidelines
An important note regarding the crisis season as set forth by MCL 460.9t(7) states: “An electric utility, municipally owned utility, or cooperative electric utility that elects to not collect a low-income energy assistance funding factor shall not shut-off service to any residential customer from November 1 to April 15 for non-payment of a delinquent account.” That is, energy providers who have “opted-out” of participation with the LIEAF surcharge are prohibited from terminating utility services from November 1 to April 15 each year. Participating LIEAF providers are subject to the prohibition of utility shut-offs between November 1 and March 31. Please review the 2019 LIEAF Estimated Surcharge Remittances from Electric Service Providers link below for a list of participating and non-participating energy providers.
It should be noted here that the 2018 Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) will be the used for the 2019 income eligibility requirements for energy consumers. The chart is available in the Community Resources section. MEAP Program Enrollment To date, there has been no official announcement for public access to assistance applications or registration for assistance with community organizations. However, energy consumers in need of assistance can contact distribution agencies in the Community Resources section or visit the website information provided for more information. Open enrollment dates and funding levels will be posted as soon as they are available. 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 Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=u9ZbQw7yTRWAm9K4Yl2MKERd76oKf_lBrejXuVLAx0j5rsSTG72gmICfR9S-bVY4az_Imm&country.x=US&locale.x=US Related Posts: Community Resources Section – Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) Chart 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 Links: Michigan FY19 Budget https://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-61409_85088---,00.html 2019 LIEAF Estimated Surcharge Remittances from Electric Service Providers https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/2019_LIEAF_OPT-IN__OPT-OUT_Electric_Providers_629248_7.pdf Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) – MPSC https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-52493---,00.html MEAP Request for Proposal (RFP) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/2019_MEAP_Grant_RFP_626762_7.pdf Helpful Resources: Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) Home Heating Help https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_homeheatinghelp_276964_7.pdf MAE Instructions for Switching Natural Gas Providers https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_naturalgaschoice_211932_7.pdf MAE Tips for Terminating or Changing Utility Services https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_tipsforterminating_211944_7.pdf Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Inquiries and Complaints https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,4639,7-159-16368_16415---,00.html Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) FAQs (MDHHS) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/MEAP_FAQs_445488_7.pdf MEAP Frequently Asked Questions (Washtenaw County) https://www.washtenaw.org/DocumentCenter/View/1849/FAQs-PDF?bidId= The Heat and Warmth Fund Assistance Programs (THAW) Utility Assistance Center PH: (800) 866-8429 (M – F, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm) Website: thawfund.org/programs/
https://thawfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2018-MEAP-Application-THAW.pdf
2 Comments
Christine Lawyer
4/29/2019 01:17:16 pm
Hi my name is Christine lawyer and my electric is ready to be shut off please I need help I'm fighting stage 3 cancer right now and I can't work please I have two kids I live in Bessemer mi
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4/29/2019 02:21:49 pm
Christina,
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Deborah Mitchell2016 Wayne State University Alumni - Bachelors of Science in Social Work, social services professional and Registered Social Work Technician. Human service background since 2007 which includes medical case management and service navigation for the indigent population, outpatient mental health counseling for SUD disorders with comorbidities (experienced in medication-assisted and social model treatment modalities), supportive employment and job development for mental health consumers, and structured living domicile management. Archives
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