Qualifying State Residents Can Get Help With Heating Costs; Information Provided With Consumers Energy February Bills

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Feb 02, 2010, 06:30 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As Michigan shivers through an arctic blast, Consumers Energy is alerting qualifying residents that state and federal programs are available to help pay heating bills.

"Qualifying Michigan residents can get help paying their heating bills through a Michigan Home Heating Credit and a federal Earned Income Credit," said Debra Harmon, Consumers Energy's customer assistance coordinator.

Information on how to apply for both credits is being provided with bills that Consumers Energy customers receive in February. Information is also available at Consumers Energy's "Energy Answers" section on its website: www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers.

"There is money available in the Michigan Home Heating Credit program that may assist low-income residents with their energy bills. Unfortunately, many of those eligible do not take advantage of this program," said Harmon. Eligible applicants can get up to $200 or more for their winter energy bills through the Home Heating Credit program. You do not need to file a state tax return to apply for this credit.

Home Heating Credit forms (MI-1040CR-7) are available at the following locations: most public libraries, Secretary of State branch offices, Department of Human Services branch offices, or by calling Consumers Energy's toll-free number, (800) 477-5050. Forms are also available from the Michigan Department of Treasury by calling (800) 827-4000, or at: www.michigan.gov/taxes

Last year, more than 450,000 Michigan residents received over $103 million in aid through the Home Heating Credit program, which is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The Home Heating Credit can be applied to all heating costs, including propane and purchased firewood. The deadline to file is Sept. 30, 2010, but residents are encouraged to file now for the credit.

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

The Michigan Department of Treasury offers help in filling out the forms; information on that service is available by calling (800) 827-4000. In addition, the Accounting Aid Society is again partnering with Consumers Energy to conduct Tax Workshops to assist low-income residents in southeast Michigan. The workshops include help in filing Home Heating Credit applications. The workshops are held on Saturdays through April 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Consumers Energy's service centers in Pontiac and Royal Oak.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to almost 6.5 million of the state's nearly 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