Michigan residents receive heating subsidies if they qualify for the LIHEAP program.
Michigan offers its low income residents with both state and federal energy assistance programs to help families pay for their heating costs. Qualified low-income residents may apply for heating assistance through their local Department of Human Service's office. Michigan also provides eligible low-income families with weatherization services to fix existing systems and reduce future energy bills.
LIHEAP
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal energy subsidization program that provides states with block funding for its low-income residents. In 2009 and 2010, Michigan limited its LIHEAP assistance subsidies to families that fell below the state's median income levels by 60 percent. For instance, a family of four could not qualify for LIHEAP benefits if its total household exceeded $45,831 annually. In 2009, the LIHEAP program provided Michigan LIHEAP recipients with a one-time additional payment. Recipients did not have to apply for the one-time payment. Michigan residents that received a home heating tax credit during the previous tax year automatically received the special payment. Recipients received either a $25 or $50 payment depending upon their heating obligations.
Home Heating Credit
Michigan's low-income residents can receive a home heating credit through the state's Department of Treasury. Residents may apply for the home heating tax credit from January until Sept. 30 of each year by completing the Home Heating Credit Claim Form. The heating credit program is limited to Michigan residents with limited incomes. In 2010, a Michigan taxpayer with four exemptions could claim a standard allowance of $850 if the taxpayer's household income did not exceed $24,272 annually. Michigan law requires the tax department to send the heating draft payments directly to the recipient's heat provider if the tax department is able to identify the provider or if the recipient is enrolled in a direct payment program for benefits through the Department of Human Services.
State Emergency Relief
The State Emergency Relief program provides crisis assistance to low-income families who experience emergency heating problems. The program limits assistance to families who can prove an immediate need for heating assistance due to imminent shut-off notices or inability to purchase fuel. The heating fuel relief program also provides families with emergency home energy repair services. In 2010, families received anywhere from $550 to $1,100 of heating cash assistance depending on their source of heating and fuel type. Families may also apply for emergency energy home repairs. The home repairs are limited to $4,000 per family over the course of the program's existence.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Michigan's Weatherization Assistance Program provides low-income homeowners and renters with weatherization services to help reduce future heating costs. Weatherization services include insulation, installing dryer venting and reducing air leaks around the home.
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