Heating Help Still Available: Consumers Energy Encourages Qualifying Customers To Apply For Michigan Home Heating Credit

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Aug 26, 2013, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- There is still time for qualifying Michigan residents to apply for help in paying their heating bills. Consumers Energy is encouraging qualifying residential customers to file for a State of Michigan Home Heating Credit by Sept. 30 if they have not yet received the credit this year.

Since January, more than 81,600 Consumers Energy customers have received a credit on the average of $136 per household.

"Acting now on the opportunity to receive a Home Heating Credit is an ideal way to head into the heating season," said Whitney Skeans, Consumers Energy's customer assistance coordinator. "Considering that it represents roughly two months of heating cost, the credit certainly helps makes energy more affordable for customers struggling to make ends meet."

Last year, nearly 403,000 Michigan residents received $58 million in aid through the Home Heating Credit program, which is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Home Heating Credit is based on household size and income. It can be applied to all heating costs, including propane and purchased firewood. Applicants do not need to file a state tax return to receive this credit.

How to apply

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

For customers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston counties, free filing assistance is still available at 5 metro-area locations through the Accounting Aid Society (1-866-673-0873).

Consumers Energy can provide applicants with their annual heating cost, required on the form (Line 11), by calling 800-477-5050. Additional information for Consumers Energy customers on how to apply for a Home Heating Credit is available by visiting www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit us at www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan.

SOURCE Consumers Energy