Financial help available for summer energy costs

Consumers Energy has set aside $2 million for assistance.

Consumers Energy is offering assistance to people who need assistance in paying summer heating bills.

People in need of financial help to cover high electric and natural gas bills this summer can get support from $2 million set aside by Consumers Energy.

The power company will distribute the onetime assistance payments for the summer through two of its community agency partners – The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and The Salvation Army.

To qualify for the one-time assistance payment, customers must be past due, shut-off or have a balance on a former address. This program is income-based and qualifications vary based on household size. For example, an individual making less than $62,060 per year or a family of four with a household income of less than $128,600 per year would qualify. Agency partners will verify customers’ eligibility and use their discretion in determining the exact amount a household could receive.

Consumers Energy’s $2 million company pledge follows a $5 million contribution earlier this year that assisted customers in need during the winter season.

To apply, customers can call or visit the following agency website links.

Consumers Energy reminds customers additional help is available for anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills by calling 2-1-1, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations. Customers can also visit ConsumersEnergy.com/assistance. 

To make it easier for customers to find the help they need based on their situation, Consumers Energy recently launched “My Personalized Offerings,” an easy-to-use tool that empowers customers to identify and enroll in custom payment assistance and energy management programs. The optional tool is free and available to all customers at ConsumersEnergy.com/offers.