Be Winter Wise
Home Heating Assistance Programs
2006-2007 Season
Michigan Public Service Commission
6545 Mercantile Way
PO Box 30221
Lansing, MI 48909
517-241-6180
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the state’s regulated gas and electric companies, including HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, encourage senior citizens, low income and unemployed utility customers to "Be Winter Wise" if faced with high bills you cannot pay this winter. "Winter Wise" customers will be protected against loss of your utility service.
The MPSC encourages senior citizens and low-income customers to call your utility company before high bills become a problem. At HomeWorks, we will attempt to provide services that can reduce your home energy use and put you in touch with public or private social service agencies that may be able to offer financial assistance.
Here is information about payment plans and programs that can help you meet your energy needs. This information can also be found in the November-December 2006 issue of Country Lines magazine, mailed on or about November 10, 2006.
Earned Income Credit
Contact: U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, toll-free phone 1-800-829-3676 (for tax forms)
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a special tax benefit for people who work full- or part-time. Those who qualify will owe less in taxes and may get a refund. Even a person who does not generally owe income tax can get the EIC, but must file a tax return to do so. If married, you must file jointly to qualify. File Form 1040 or 1040A and attach the EIC.
If you were raising a child in your home in 2006, you may also be able to boost each paycheck during the year with Advance EIC. Get Form W-5 from your employer or call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
Home Heating Credit*
Contact: Michigan Department of Treasury, toll-free phone 1-800-827-4000
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2006 tax year if you:
-
meet the income guidelines (see below)
-
you own or rent the home where you live in Michigan, or
-
you qualify based on alternate guidelines including household income, exemptions, and heating costs.
If you qualify, you may receive assistance to help pay for your winter heating bills. The average Home Heating Credit for the 2005 tax year was approximately $188.
Forms are available in January wherever tax forms are provided, or from the Michigan Department of Treasury (call 1-800-827-4000), or on the Internet at www.michigan.gov/treasury. The Home Heating Credit claim form must be filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury before September 30, 2007.
| Exemptions | Minimum Income |
1 |
$10,786 |
2 |
$14,529 |
3 |
$18,271 |
4 |
$22,014 |
5 |
$25,757 |
6 |
$29,500 |
Crisis Assistance Program
Contact: Michigan’s Department of Human Services, toll-free phone 1-800-292-5650
The State Emergency Relief Program (SER): You do not have to be a client of the Department of Human Services to apply. This program is available year-round, subject to the availability of funds, to assist low-income households that have a heat or electric shut-off or a need for deliverable fuel. However, if you receive an DHS cash grant, you may vendor part of that grant towards heat and electric bills. Contact your DHS caseworker for information on vendoring a cash grant.
Low-Income Home Weatherization
Contact: Your local Community Action Agency
You may be able to receive help with weatherizing your home to reduce energy use if you meet low-income eligibility guidelines and funding is available. Weatherization may include caulking, weather-stripping, and insulating.
Medical Emergency Protection
Contact: HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative at 1-800-562-8232
You are protected from service shut-off for non-payment of your electric bill for up to 21 days if you have a proven medical emergency. You must provide written proof from a doctor, public health or social services official that a medical emergency exists.
Shut-off Protection for Military Active Duty
Contact: HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative at 1-800-562-8232
If you or your spouse has been called into active military duty you may apply for shut-off protection from your electric or natural gas service for up to 90 days. You will still be required to pay, but we will help you set up a payment plan.
Budget Payment Plan, Automatic Payment Plans
Contact: HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative at 1-800-562-8232
We now offer sign-up for our Budget Billing plan year-round. With our Budget Billing plan, your monthly bill payment is levelized to a rolling 12-month average, avoiding those bad-weather months when the bill is much higher.
We also offer several automatic payment plans that help you by paying your bill on the due date from your checking, savings, or credit card account. Avoid late fees and disconnection notices by signing up for one of these no-fee plans. Call us at 1-800-562-8232 for details.
Emergency Winter Protection Plan
Contact: HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative at 1-800-562-8232
The new Emergency Winter Protection Plan protects senior and low-income customers from service shutoffs and high utility bill payments during the winter months (November 1 – March 31). To participate, you must agree to the terms of the Winter Protection Plan for the upcoming heating season.
If you are an eligible low-income customer, your utility service will remain on from November 1-March 31, if:
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you pay at least 6% of your estimated annual bill each month, and
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you make regular payments of no more than $50 on any past due bills between the time you apply for the program and the beginning of the next year's heating season.
When the protection period ends (March 31), from April 1 through October 31, you must begin to pay the full monthly bill, plus part of the amount you owe from the winter months when you did not pay the full bill. Participation does not relieve customers from the responsibility of paying for electricity and natural gas usage, but does prevent shut-off during winter months.
You qualify for the plan if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
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you are age 65 or older,
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you receive Department of Human Services cash assistance
-
you receive Food Stamps,
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you receive Medicaid, or
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your household income is at or below the 200% of poverty level shown in the Income Guidelines chart below.
Senior citizen customers (65 or older) who participate in the Winter Protection Plan are not required to make specific payments to ensure that your service will not be shut off between November 1 and March 31. However, you are encouraged to pay whatever you can during the winter so you will not have large, unmanageable bills when the protection period ends.
| Winter Protection Plan Income Guidelines (2006-2007) |
|
| Number of Household Members | 200% of Poverty Guidelines Maximum Income |
1
|
$19,600 |
2
|
$26,400 |
3
|
$33,200 |
4
|
$40,000 |
5
|
$46,800 |
6 |
$53,600 |
7 |
$60,400 |
8 |
$67,200 |
Add $6,800 for each additional household member. |
|
Note: All senior citizens are eligible regardless of income. Customers are responsible for all electricity used. At the end of the protection period, both low-income and senior citizens participating in the plan must make arrangements with HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative to pay off any money owed before the start of the next protection period.