LANSING, MI – In light of the recent very unfortunate death of a 93-year-old Bay City, MI man due to his electricity being shut off, AARP reminds seniors of the many ways they can seek help with paying their utility bills and making their homes more energy efficient.
AARP recently launched Operation Energy Save, a new initiative that calls on Michiganians to help friends, family and neighbors conserve energy by making small changes around the house that are proven to reduce energy costs. In an economy where every bit counts, these small changes could save Americans millions of dollars this winter. Part of Create the Good, a network of volunteers active in neighborhoods across the country, Operation Energy Save features easy-to-use checklists, instructional guides and simple tips to help their neighbors save on household energy expenses. The free resource is available at www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood.
“When the weather gets cold and energy costs rise, our most vulnerable populations often must
make the choice between buying food and medicine or staying warm,” said AARP Michigan state president Eric Schneidewind. “If volunteers or community groups start by identifying just two or three friends or neighbors who might not be able to complete the checklist on their own and helping them make a few changes, we can keep vulnerable populations safe this winter and save everyone money on energy costs.”
Many Michigan seniors are facing mounting heating bills that they cannot pay due to the increased cost of energy and the bad economy. AARP strongly encourages seniors to check with their utility provider to see if they offer a Winter Protection Plan.
These plans protect senior and low-income customers of Commission-regulated natural gas and electric companies, rural electric cooperatives and alternative suppliers from electric or natural gas service shut-off and high utility payments between December 1 and March 31 each year. Persons qualify for the plan if they meet any of the following criteria:
¨ Are age 65 or older; or
¨ Receive Michigan Department of Human Services cash assistance; or
¨ Receive Food Stamp or Medicaid; or
¨ Have a household income at or below 200 percent of the poverty level
Winter Protection Plans allow eligible low-income customers to make monthly payments of at least 7 percent of their estimated annual bill, along with a portion of any past-due amount, December through March, and avoid shut-off during that time even if their bills are higher. Eligible senior citizens participating in Winter Protection Plans are not required to make specific monthly payments between December 1 and March 31, but are encouraged to do so to avoid higher bills when the protection period ends. At the end of the protection period, both low-income and senior citizens taking part in the plan must pay off any money owed in installments between April and November. To apply for this program, contact your natural gas or electric utility company or alternative electric supplier.
AARP also wants to remind seniors about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is federal money given to each state to assist low-income families with energy costs.
LIHEAP is currently substantially underfunded and unable to meet the energy needs of the program’s eligible households. AARP has been working for many years on the federal level to get the funding for LIHEAP increased, and has asked Congress, as part of the proposed economic stimulus package, to provide an additional $1 billion over the funding for last year, as well as $6.2 billion in weatherization funding. Without increased LIHEAP assistance, many older Americans will be forced this winter to choose between paying their heating bill and paying for other necessities such as food or medicine.
In Michigan, the LIHEAP money is used for three programs: Home Heating Credit, State Emergency Relief (SER) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
The Home Heating Credit is available to all low-income households. Application forms for the Home Heating Credit are available from the Michigan Department of Treasury, local Department of Human Services offices and anywhere Michigan tax return forms are available.
The State Emergency Relief (SER) program is a crisis intervention program and provides services such as payment for heating fuel, electricity and home repairs. Eligibility is based upon: demonstration of immediate need (shut-off notice); declared need for a deliverable fuel; verified need for energy-related home repair; income or assets. The SER is administered by the Michigan Department of Human Services. An application is needed to request assistance and an appointment is generally required. To apply, contact the local Department of Human Services office in the county in which you reside.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded, low-income residential energy conservation program. The program provides free home energy conservation services to low-income Michigan homeowners and renters. These services reduce energy use and lower utility bills, thus creating more self-sufficient households.
For more information about LIHEAP, call the toll-free Michigan Department of Human Services Energy Hotline at 1-800-292-5650 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Assistance with paying your heating bills can also be obtained by calling 2-1-1. Information to help seniors make ends meet during these difficult economic times, including information on heating assistance, can be found on AARP’s Web site at http://www.aarp.org/money/personal/real_relief_aarp/.
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