General Assistance

The Winter Protection Plan is a program designed to prevent service disconnection during the heating season (November 1 through March 31 of the following year, each year) for customers at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and seniors age 65 and up regardless of income*.

During this period, customers must pay at least seven percent of their estimated annual bill each month. Seniors who have had service disconnected for non-payment before applying for WPP will have their services reconnected without any payments. Although no specific payments are required during the heating season, seniors are encouraged to pay something to avoid large payments when the protection period ends.

If you enroll in WPP you will not be able to apply for State Emergency Relief while enrolled.

* Customers age 62 prior to October 31, 2023 will remain eligible for protection.

If you or a member of your household has a medical emergency confirmed by a physician or public health official, you can apply for interruption of service protection for up to 21 days. You must provide a signed and completed Medical Certification Form confirming service disconnection will aggravate an existing medical condition.

Critical Care

If you or a member of your household requires home medical equipment or a life-support system, you must provide a signed and completed Medical Certification Form from a physician or medical facility identifying the medical equipment or life-support system certifying an interruption of service is immediately life-threatening. Critical Care re-certification is required on an annual basis.

Please submit your form via our Document Submission Portal.

If you or your spouse is the utility company customer of record and either of you are called to full-time active military service during a national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shutoff protection for up to 90 days. You may also reapply for extensions of this protection.

You will still be required to pay for services used while in this program. You can set up a payment plan for all past due amounts to be paid within twelve months.

Customers looking for affordable housing may use the free Michigan Housing Locator at  AffordableHousing.com.

GreenPath Financial Wellness supports people who have overwhelming debt, foreclosure, bankruptcy or credit challenges. Services include budget counseling, debt management and credit report help. To learn more, please call (888) 235-1003.