Winter is here and the Superior Watershed Partnership’s Michigan Energy Assistance Program (SWP MEAP) has funding to assist Upper Peninsula residents with their heat and electric costs. SWP urges Upper Peninsula residents struggling with paying their heat and electric bills to contact the SWP MEAP Energy and Climate Office for assistance with home energy bills and energy efficiency services.
Households who are experiencing an energy crisis (past due bill, shut off notice, or need for deliverable fuel) should apply directly to the State Emergency Relief Program (SER) using the MI-Bridges website (www.michigan.gov/MIBridges) or with assistance from the SWP Energy Office staff.
The completed application will determine eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Households must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify for SER and MEAP payment services (for example, a family of four must not have income exceeding $3,469 per month). The SWP Energy Office will assist any household with the SER application process and with SWP MEAP self-sufficiency services.
After the Michigan household has been approved for energy assistance through MDHHS, SWP MEAP can help with co-pays and subsequent heating and electric bills. SWP MEAP also offers affordable payment plans and energy security services including: energy education, financial counseling, free home energy score assessments, home weatherization, and free solar panel installation for up to three qualified households.
SWP MEAP collaborates with participating St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Societies of the Upper Peninsula, Native American communities of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan Community Action Agencies (MCAA), and other project partners to implement a step-by-step energy assistance program for low-income households across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
This collaborative, community approach helps struggling families in the U.P. of Michigan pay their energy bills, become more aware of home energy conservation, and receive the tools needed to gain the confidence and knowledge to budget for future energy costs.
The SWP Energy and Climate Office, located at 1104 N. 3rd Street in Marquette and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist residents with any energy related needs, including: MI Bridges account creation, SER application assistance, SWP MEAP requirements and assistance, energy education, financial counseling, and more.
U.P. residents in need are encouraged to stop in to see us, or give us a call at 906-273-2742.
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