Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that nine local community service agencies across Michigan received a combined $54.5 million in Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grants to help families pay for heat and energy as the winter approaches. Last year, the program helped over 52,000 households.
“With winter just around the corner, we have to work together to put Michigan families first by helping them stay safe and warm,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Thanks to these grants provided under the Michigan Energy Assistance Program, we can help working families in Michigan from Macomb to Marquette get the help they need with electric bills, heat, natural gas, propane, or any other fuel that helps them say safe and warm. Last year, over 52,000 households received this assistance, and with the latest round of grants, tens of thousands will be helped this year too. If you need help with your bills this winter, I urge you to look into the resources we have available. Call 211 or go to mi211.org for more information.”
- Barry County United Way: $150,000, Barry County.
- MDHHS Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity: $6.39 million, statewide.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit: $4.663 million; multiple counties throughout Michigan.
- Superior Watershed Partnership: $2.46 million, 15 Upper Peninsula counties, and multiple northern-Lower Peninsula counties.
- The Heat and Warmth Fund: $6.724 million, statewide.
- The Salvation Army: $11.263 million, statewide.
- TrueNorth Community Services: $11.2 million, statewide.
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan: $6.4 million, statewide.
- United Way of Jackson County: $5.25 million, statewide.
Contact your utility company or propane supplier as soon as you know you will be unable to pay your bill on time, and don’t wait for a shutoff notice or put yourself in a situation where you might run out of fuel. Call 211 or go to www.mi211.org to learn about agencies that may assist with your energy bill.
For more information about MEAP, visit the MPSC’s MEAP page. For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter or LinkedIn.
- Cleaning furnace filters to help furnaces to run more efficiently.
- Installing a programmable thermostat to save on heating costs by lowering temperatures during daytime hours.
- Dressing for cold weather and turning down the thermostat another degree or two helps save money.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors, or utility access points.
- Schedule a home energy assessment to identify ways to cut energy waste.
- Rebates on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliances, lighting, insulation and other improvements are available through utilities.
- Go to the MPSC’s Be Winterwise webpage for more information, or check out additional recommendations on reducing energy bills from the U.S. Department of Energy.
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