Are you someone with less than perfect credit? Do you know how your credit score is calculated? Let’s take a look…  Here are a few common myths about credit: 1) Credit agencies are empowered with some kind of governmental authority? Truth: Credit agencies have no legal authority at all. 2) Credit agencies are required by law to keep derogatory items on your credit report for 7 to 10 years? Truth: There is no law that credit agencies report any items at all. They are required by law to remove all derogatory items older than 7 years like late payments and charge-offs, but in the case of public records like bankruptcy it’s 10 years. 3) Information on your credit report cannot be changed; it’s illegal to have the information altered or removed? Truth: The opposite is true with the Fair Credit Reporting Act both Federal and various state laws REQUIRE that items be removed if they are not 100% accurate or cannot be verified in a timely manner. But you know what? You can restore your score! The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives all Americans the right to dispute and/or investigate any item on their credit report: inaccurate, erroneous and obsolete items such as late payments, charge-offs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, tax liens, collections, short sales, medical bills, and many other items can be removed from your credit file or can be updated to say paid as agreed. Leverage your legal rights to investigate, dispute and challenge negative items on your credit report. And know that restoring your credit will position you with the best interest rates available for future purchases! So what are you waiting for? Don’t you want your credit power back? Contact me and let’s get you started today! Related Posts:
Power of Credit and Financial Freedom
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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:
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:
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:
Selecting a Service Provider Households seeking assistance may enroll in utility assistance programs by:
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 Category: Public Policy
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 |
Deborah MitchellWelcome to The Community Advocate Network. My name is Deborah Mitchell, I am a graduate in Social Work and Registered Social Work Technician. My human service background began in 2007 which includes medical case management and service navigation for the indigent population, outpatient mental health counseling with substance use and abuse disorders, supportive employment and job development for mental health consumers, and structured living domicile management. Archives
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