LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Low-income families could be eligible for assistance programs that could help them with home energy costs and become or move toward being self-sufficient through an $89.5 million grant program.
The Michigan Agency for Energy, working with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, approved Michigan Energy Assistance Program grants totaling $89.5 million to 13 organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
The grant awards require approval from the State Administrative Board.
On July 15, MAE issued a request for revised budgets and program changes from the current 13 MEAP Grantees for the second year of a two-year grant program. Based on its review, the MAE approved the following grants:
· Barry County United Way – $195,054 to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households in Barry County.
· Consumers Energy Company – $13.2 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
· DHHS – Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity – $7 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.
· DTE Energy – $17 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
· Flat River Outreach Ministries, Inc. – $97,325 to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households in the Lowell School District.
· Lighthouse Emergency Services – $300,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households in Oakland County.
· Michigan Community Action Agency Association – $9 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.
· SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company – $2.5 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
· Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit – $4.4 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in 39 counties throughout the state of Michigan.
· Superior Watershed Partnership – $1.5 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households throughout the 15 counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
· The Heat and Warmth Fund – $8.5 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.
· The Salvation Army – $12.6 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.
· TrueNorth Community Services – $13.2 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households in 64 counties throughout the state.
The grants will be funded by $50 million collected through a low‑income energy assistance funding factor approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission; and $40 million in Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds provided by DHHS.
A majority of these funds will be expended by the above organizations during the “crisis season” that begins November 1 and ends May 31. Low-income households are encouraged to seek assistance during that time.
Beginning October 1, households can call 2-1-1or visit mi211.org for information regarding eligibility requirements and referrals to agencies that can provide MEAP energy assistance services.
For more information about MAE, please visit www.michigan.gov/energy.
