Comment: There's help to be had
for those struggling to stay warm

Winter is here, temperatures are falling and our utility bills increase as we try to keep ourselves and our families warm. Many families struggle throughout the winter with high utility bills. There are many energy company programs, as well as state and local programs, that can help with your utility costs if you meet certain criteria. No one wants you or your family to be cold this winter, so read on and see if you qualify for these program designed to keep your heat and electricity on during the coldest months of the year.

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer a number of programs to help customers with their energy bills. Payment assistance programs include a medical emergencies program to postpone shutoffs in the event of a medical issue, and a shut-off protection plan to spread future bills out over the year. The shut-off protection plan also includes equal monthly payments on an unpaid balance in order to avoid a shut-off.

Some consumers and all senior citizens, regardless of their income, also qualify for DTE Energy’s Winter Protection Plan. This program protects seniors and low-income customers from shut-offs between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payments will increase to cover winter bills. For more information on any of these programs call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050, and DTE Energy at 800-477-4747.

Many assistance programs are available by calling 211 at the United Way. Weatherization help is also available for low-income residents. These programs help with caulking, weather stripping, and insulation. Another program that is available is THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund, which helps people facing a shut-off who have exhausted all federal and state funding programs.

The state offers assistance with energy bills through the State Emergency Relief Program in the Department of Human Services. This program is available to DHS clients and non-DHS clients. For more information call the Energy Assistance Hotline at 800-292-5650, or visit your local DHS office. State Department of Social Services for Wayne County is located at 2929 Russell Street in Detroit. You can reach that office by calling 313-396-0200.

Recently, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law shut-off protection bills that cover customers of municipally owned electric and natural gas companies. These new laws will help prevent the tragedy that happened last winter, when an elderly Bay City man froze to death in his own home because the municipal utility had placed an electric limiter on his home. Under the new laws, customers of municipal utilities will have the same protections against shut-offs that customers of regulated utilities have.

In these tough times many people, some for the first time, are finding it hard to keep up with their bills. No one should feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help. There is plenty of help out there, and I encourage you to take advantage of it and stay warm and safe this winter.

Senator Scott represents the 2nd Senate District, which includes areas of Detroit and the cities of Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park and all of the Grosse Pointes. She serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Visit her online.

• Login or register to post comments
• Printer-friendly version
• Send to friend