Many agencies in your area may be able
to assist with other household needs, as well
as heating assistance.
Local assistance agencies include:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) –
Customer Service Number – 1-855-275-6424
The Home Heating Credit (Treasury, State of
Michigan) – 1-517-636-4486
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) –
1-800-866-THAW (8429)
Community Action Agency (CAA)*
The Salvation Army*
St. Vincent DePaul*
Council on Aging*
Local churches*
*Phone numbers listed in your local telephone directory
In addition to the above agencies, the United Way
may also be able to direct you to additional
services that are offered in your area. The
United Way can be reached at 2-1-1 (dialed
from your home telephone), which is a free
phone service that links people with information
or agencies that can help with utility assistance
and other needs. Calls are confidential and
answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Translation service is available. If 2-1-1 is
not available in your area, consult your
local phone directory for the United Way
office nearest you.
WINTER PROTECTION PLAN (WPP)
CONTACT: SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
EFFECTIVE DATES: November 1 through March 31
The Winter Protection Program may protect lowincome and senior customers (65 years or more)
from service shut off during the winter (November 1
through March 31). You may qualify for the plan if
you have a household income at or below 150
percent of poverty level (as shown in the income
guideline chart)** or receive any of the following:
Department of Human Services cash assistance,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps
or Medicaid. Participation in the Winter Protection
Plan does not relieve the customer of responsibility
for paying for natural gas usage, but will prevent
heating season shut off if on-time payments are
made. Costs deferred through the winter months will
be reconciled and at the end of the protection
period, the account balance will be converted into
monthly installments to be paid April through
October along with the current bill.
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
One
Two
Three
Four
MAXIMUM INCOME
$17,235
$23,265
$29,295
$35,325
Add $6,030 for each additional household member.
**PROVISIONS:
• Customers must apply through SEMCO ENERGY
for the program and must, within
14 days, demonstrate having made application
for state assistance.
• You may sign up beginning November 1 by paying
a minimum of 1/12th of any past-due amount.
• If you qualify, you will pay 7% per month of your
estimated annual heating bill during the Winter
Protection period plus a portion of your arrears.
• When the Winter Protection period ends March
31, your payment amount will change. You must
pay your current monthly bill plus part of the
amount you owe from the Winter Protection period
in equal installments. You may also choose to
pay the remaining Winter Protection period
balance or pre-enrollment balance and go on
the Installment Plan between April and October.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTECTION
CONTACT: SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
If you, or any household member, have a qualifying,
documented temporary medical emergency, you
may be protected from energy shut off for nonpayment
of your bill for up to 21 days. You must provide
written proof from your physician or from a public
health official that service shut off will aggravate an
existing medical
condition. Contact
SEMCO ENERGY
Gas Company to
request a copy
of the form for
your physician
to complete.
MILITARY PROTECTION
CONTACT: SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
If you are the customer of record with the utility
or the spouse of the customer of record with
the utility, and have been called to full-time active
military service by the President of the United
States or the Governor of Michigan during a
declared national or state emergency or war, you
may apply for shut off protection for up to 90
days. An extension may be requested. Verification
of active duty status may be required.
SENIOR PROTECTION PROGRAM
CONTACT: SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
EFFECTIVE DATES: November 1 through March 31
Any customer 65 years or older, regardless of
income and who notifies SEMCO ENERGY of their
eligibility, is protected from shut off during the
effective dates. At the end of this protection period,
the total bill will be required unless arrangements
are made to pay the balance in installment
payments along with the current bill.
MICHIGAN ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CONTACT: Local Electric Utility Company
Shut off protection is provided from November 1
through April 15 for all residential customers
(regardless of income) of any utility company providing
electric service in Michigan that has chosen not
to collect the $.99 monthly surcharge from its
customers for the Low-Income Assistance Fund.
HOW TO REACH SEMCO ENERGY www.semcoenergygas.com
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1-800-624-2019 or [email protected]
GAS LEAKS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES: 1-888-GAS-1-GAS (1-888-427-1427)
STATE EMERGENCY RELIEF (SER) PROGRAM
CONTACT: Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS)
You do not have to be a client of DHS to apply for help
through the SER crisis intervention program. This
program is available year-round, subject to availability
of funds, to assist low-income households that have
received an energy past-due notice or need deliverable
fuel. If you receive a DHS cash grant, you may
vendor part of that grant towards an energy bill.
Contact your local DHS office or your case worker.
The SER Program application may also be found
online at www.michigan.gov/mibridges.
2013 EARNED INCOME CREDIT (EIC)
CONTACT: Internal Revenue Service/Tax Preparer
or U.S. Treasury Department
The Earned Income Credit is a refundable federal
income tax credit for low-income workers. Those
who qualify will owe less in taxes and may get a
refund. Even a person who does not generally owe
income taxes may qualify for an EIC, but must file
a tax return to get the credit.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATES
CONTACT: Efficiency United
Visit www.efficiencyunited.com
or call (877-367-3191) for information on
rebates available to SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
customers. Rebates are available for ENERGY
STAR appliances, as well as for other energy
conservation measures. ENERGY STAR® labeled
products can cut your energy bills by up to 30
percent. Find retailers near you at Energystar.gov
when you’re ready to replace your heating and
cooling systems – as well as other appliances.
HOME HEATING CREDIT
CONTACT: The Michigan Department of the Treasury
Effective Dates: January 1 through September 30
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for
the 2013 tax year if you meet the listed income
guidelines. To apply, you must meet the income
guidelines as shown on the chart below and own
or rent your residence (includes rented apartments
and mobile homes). Additional benefits may be
available if you are 65 or older, deaf, blind or have
another disability. Home Heating Credit claims
must be filed before September 30, 2014, with
the State of Michigan Treasury.
Exemptions
Income Ceiling
One
$12,642
Two
$17,071
Three
$21,500
Four
$25,929
Five
$30,328
Six
$34,757
For each exemption over six, add $4,429.
2013 STATE EARNED INCOME CREDIT (SEIC)
CONTACT: Michigan Department of Treasury
For the 2013 tax year, a taxpayer may claim a
Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit equal to a
percentage of the federal earned income tax
credit for which the taxpayer is eligible, if any.
See the 2013 Michigan Income Tax booklet for
additional information.
LOW-INCOME WEATHERIZATION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CONTACT: Local Community Action Agency
Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program
(WAP) is a federally funded, low-income
residential energy conservation program. WAP
provides free home energy conservation services
to eligible low-income homeowners and renters.
These weatherization services can help you
reduce your energy use and lower your utility
bills. If you qualify, a trained inspector will assess
your home and determine which conservation
measures will be the most beneficial for you.
November / December 2013
www.semcoenergygas.com
SEMCO ENERGY PAYMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Weatherization steps may include adding
caulking and weather stripping; wall, basement,
and attic insulation and ventilation; and
smoke detectors. Eligibility is based on your
household income. If you participate in the
Family Independence Program administered by
the Department of Human Services or
receive Supplemental Security Income, you
automatically qualify for this program.
Go to www.mcaaa.org website to find the
Community Action Agency in your area.
SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company
coordinates with agencies throughout
the state who offer payment plans
and assistance programs to help
customers with their gas bills.
Contact SEMCO ENERGY as soon
as you know you cannot pay your
entire gas bill. You may be eligible
for assistance from various agencies
in your area and/or we may work
with you to set up a payment plan.