As temperatures rise in the summer months, so do utility bills, especially for older adults living on fixed incomes. Air conditioning, increased water use, and longer daylight hours can all contribute to a noticeable spike in monthly costs. For many seniors, this seasonal change can cause real financial stress and even put them at risk of utility shut offs during the hottest part of the year. In this blog, we’ll outline local programs, payment plan options, and other supports available to keep utilities on and stress levels down. 

 

Agencies & Programs 

• Aid in Milan (734)439-8420- offers assistance with emergency needs such as water and gas/electricity bills. Must live in the Milan Area School District and the 48160 zip code. 
• Faith in Action (734) 475-3305- offers assistance with heat, electricity, and water bills. Must live in Chelsea or Dexter school districts to be eligible for all client programs. 
• Friends In Deed (734) 484-4357 – offers assistance with utility bills and other emergency needs. 
• Manchester Family Services (734) 428-7183- offers vouchers for emergency utility assistance. Must live in Freedom, Manchester, Bridgewater, or Sharon Townships.
• MI Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS) 
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)- this program offers low-income households assistance with home energy costs.  
  • State Emergency Relief (SER)– this program offers temporary heat and utility assistance for eligible low-income families and individuals when heating or electric service has been or will be shut off. You are required to pay a portion of your bill. 
• Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency– can assist with utility bills, home repairs, medical bills, and other debts. Be sure to specify the amount requested, the reason you are applying for assistance, and how quickly it is needed. 
• Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)– this program provides energy assistance to low-income households. Can help with energy bills, budgeting, enrolling into payment plans, and energy efficiency.  
• Saline Area Social Service (734) 429-4570 – can assist with DTE bills if the client is on a budget plan or has a shut-off notice. Client must go to the Department of Human Services first and get verification of what DHS will pay.   
• SOS Family Resource Center (734) 484-5411- offer utility assistance and resource referrals. Can also help apply for State Emergency Relief (SER).  
• The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) 1-800-866-8429 – offers assistance with utility, energy, and water bills. Not currently accepting applications for energy program. 
• United Way Southeastern Michigan– offers assistance with energy bills. Not currently accepting applications.
• Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) 
  • Home Weatherization Program– this program is designed to help residents lower their utility bills. A free energy audit is performed, and based on the results of that audit, the county provides eligible repairs on their home for free. 
• Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (313) 388-9799 
  • Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP)– this is a two-year program that provides funding to eligible, low-income households to assist with water bills, water conservation, and self-sufficiency initiatives. Not currently accepting applications.  
  • Open to residents of Pittsfield Township, Superior Township, Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti Township.  

 

Payment Plans 

• DTE 
  • BudgetWise Billing– this program avoids seasonal spikes in utility bills. The user is charged the average energy cost the address used over the past year. 
  • Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP)– this program creates a monthly payment based on your income and energy usage. The plan is reviewed every six, 12, and 24 months.  
  • Payment Agreement– this program allows you to pay off your past-due balance over a period of time without any late fees. It requires an initial down payment, with the remaining balance paid in monthly installments.   
  • Senior Citizen Provision Credit– this program offers head of households who are age 65 or older a savings of $3.75 per month, saving them $45 per year.  
  • Shutoff Protection– this program creates a monthly payment based on a total amount of your account balance, plus an average of your energy costs over the past year. 

• Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) 
  • Budget Billing– this program creates a monthly payment based on the past year of usage, allowing clients to pay a consistent amount. 
  • Water & Sewer Rebate– this program, which is a collaboration of Ypsilanti Township and YCUA, offers water bill assistance for Ypsilanti Township residents who meet eligibility criteria. If approved, $40 will be applied to YCUA invoices for a full year.