State Home Heating Assistance
The state offers a tax credit that can help offset the costs of natural gas or electricity used to heat homes in the winter. The tax credit is based on household income, the number of exemptions claimed, and the home's actual heating costs. Special exemptions may be available to customers 65 and older and to people with disabilities.

Contact Information: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance/0,1607,7-215-33210---,00.html

Winter Protection Plan
Protects low-income customers and all seniors age 65 and older from service shutoff between December 1 - March 31. Low-income customers pay 7 percent of their estimated annual bill, plus a portion of any other amount they owe during the shutoff protection period.

Contact Information: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/homeheatinghelp_106697_7.pdf

The Heat and Warmth Fund
An independent non-profit organization, THAW distributes funds for bill-payment assistance across the state and promotes energy conservation, weatherization, and energy efficiency education. THAW partners with several utility companies, which provide funding to administer and operate the program. Most participating utilities match customer and other donations dollar for dollar, and all contributions go directly to low-income bill payments.

Contact Information: http://www.thawfund.org/index.cfm?location=1

Salvation Army Assistance
The Salvation Army provides utility assistance throughout the State of Michigan. More than 120 caseworkers, working at more than 90 service locations, help families pay their utility bills in order to get through financial crises.

Contact Information: http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/wmni

Operation Round Up
Customer donations for Operation Round Up go to the locally administrated Community Caring Fund. Funds are distributed to individuals and organizations through grant requests submitted to Community Caring.

Contact Information: http://www.cecelec.com/memberprograms/roundup.cfm

Consumers Energy PeopleCare
PeopleCare is a partnership between Consumers Energy and The Salvation Army to help Michigan households that may not qualify for other assistance yet are struggling to make ends meet. Consumers Energy also donates PeopleCare bill credits for its low-income gas and electric customers, which are applied directly to a customer’s bill based on The Salvation Army caseworker assessment and authorization.

Contact Information: http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/wmni

Detroit Edison Low-Income Rate Assistance
A team of specialists is available to help low-income customers reduce their unpaid balances by providing a personal payment plan, agency referrals, and follow-up.

Contact Information: http://my.dteenergy.com/paymentOptions/assistance.html

Pennies for Power Program
Customer donations fund the Pennies for Power Program that provides utility shutoff protection for low-income families in the Lansing area.

Contact Information: http://www.lbwl.com/pennies.asp

People Fund
Customer donations provide funds for individuals and community organizations.

Contact Information: http://www.homeworks.org/people_fund1/applications.htm

Upper Peninsula Power
Arrearage forgiveness and deposit and fee waivers are provided by utilities that participate in the state's automated positive billing system and other payment plans. Under positive billing, a participating household must pay a percentage of its monthly assistance grant to its utility.

Contact Information: http://www.uppco.com/service/arrangements.asp