Heating Help Available; Consumers Energy Encourages Qualifying Customers to File for State and Federal Credits

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Mar 25, 2011, 06:30 ET

JACKSON, Mich., March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy encourages qualifying residential customers to file for a State of Michigan Home Heating Credit and a federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

"Qualifying Michigan residents can get help paying their heating bills. In particular we encourage customers to apply for a Michigan Home Heating Credit. Applicants do not need to file a state tax return to receive this credit," said Whitney Schraw, Consumers Energy's customer assistance coordinator. Consumers Energy can provide applicants with their annual heating cost, required on the form, by calling the utility at 1-800-477-5050.

Additional information on how to apply for a Home Heating Credit is available by visiting www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers

Last year, nearly 473,000 Michigan residents received $80.6 million in aid through the Home Heating Credit program, which is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The average payment per household was $170. The Home Heating Credit can be applied to all heating costs, including propane and purchased firewood.

The Home Heating Credit Claim form (MI-1040CR-7) generally is available wherever other tax forms are provided. You also may get forms from the Michigan Department of Treasury at (517) 636-4486, at www.michigan.gov/taxes, at Consumers Energy bill payment offices, by calling the utility at (800) 477-5050 or at www.consumersenergy.com.

Separately, the federal Earned Income Credit is a refundable federal income tax credit available to qualifying low-income workers. The Earned Income Credit must be filed at tax time. For income guidelines, contact your employer, call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676, or visit www.irs.gov

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at www.consumersenergy.com

SOURCE Consumers Energy