Financial assistance may be provided to low-income households who meet eligibility requirements when heating or electric service has been or will be shut off. Payments may include the amount needed to restore or continue the service for at least 30 days. Also, services may include payment of necessary charges to deliver a 30-day supply of a deliverable fuel.

Required payments are established amounts that DHS expects families to spend on their energy bill. Households are expected to make required payments for heat and electric, other utilities and shelter expenses before receiving any SER assistance.

To be eligible for energy service assistance, an SER group must make all "energy required payments" for both primary and secondary fuel sources toward their energy service bills. The energy required payment period is the six-month period prior to the month the group applies. See the Table of Monthly Energy Required Payments below:

Example: If the group applies for heating assistance on January 13, the required payment period is July through December.

Only a DHS Specialist can accurately determine your eligibility for this program. Ask for details when turning in a completed application at your local DHS County Office. 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Progam (LIHEAP) is federal money given to each state to assist low-income families with energy costs. In Michigan, the LIHEAP block grant is used for the following programs:

• Home Heating Credit
• State Emergency Relief (SER)
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)