Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on heat, electric, gas, propane, water, sewer, phone, or internet bills in Michigan, start with three steps: apply for emergency help through MI Bridges, call your utility or water provider, and contact Michigan 211 for local programs. Do not wait for the shutoff date if you already know you cannot pay.
Most utility help in Michigan is not a cash grant paid to you. It is usually a payment to the utility, a payment plan, a shutoff hold, a bill credit, home weatherization, or help from a local nonprofit. If you also need rent, food, child care, or medical help, use this page with our guides to Michigan emergency help, Michigan food help, and Michigan health help.
If your power, heat, or water may be shut off
Act the same day. Apply for State Emergency Relief, then call the company and say you applied. Ask whether a hold can be placed while your case is reviewed. If someone in your home has a medical condition that would be made worse by losing power, heat, or gas, ask the utility for a medical certification form right away.
- Energy shutoff or past-due bill: apply through MDHHS Emergency Relief or MI Bridges.
- Need local help: call 2-1-1 or search Michigan 211.
- Utility complaint: call your utility first, then use the MPSC complaint page if the issue is not fixed.
- Water shutoff risk: ask your water department about a payment plan and check MDHHS water help.
Where to start in Michigan
Use the order below if you are behind or worried about next month’s bill.
1. Apply for SER
State Emergency Relief, often called SER, is the main emergency path for past-due heat, electric, gas, and some fuel needs. Apply online through MI Bridges, or ask your local MDHHS office for help.
2. Call the company
Ask for a shutoff hold, a payment plan, Winter Protection Plan, medical protection, or a low-income plan. Write down the person’s name, date, and what they said.
3. Call 2-1-1
Michigan 211 can help you find local Community Action agencies, MEAP agencies, churches, water programs, rent help, diapers, food, and other nearby support.
If your household is short on more than utilities, look at Michigan single mother help, Michigan TANF help, and Michigan child care too. Lowering another bill may help you keep up with utilities.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | What it may do | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past-due gas or electric | Apply for SER | May pay part or all of the emergency amount if rules are met | Approval is not automatic, and documents matter. |
| Ongoing high bills | Ask about MEAP or utility plans | May set fixed payments or help with arrears | Plans often require income proof and on-time payments. |
| Winter shutoff risk | Ask for Winter Protection Plan | May protect eligible customers from shutoff from November 1 to March 31 | Money owed still must be paid later. |
| Medical risk | Ask for medical certification | May pause shutoff or restore service for a short period | A health professional must complete the form. |
| Water or sewer arrears | Ask local water office and 211 | May offer water aid, WRAP, Lifeline H2O, or a payment plan | Water programs vary by city and funding. |
| Phone or internet | Check Lifeline | May reduce phone or broadband cost | Only one Lifeline benefit per household. |
Energy bill help in Michigan
State Emergency Relief for heat, gas, electric, and fuel
SER is the main Michigan program for urgent energy needs. It may help when your current home has a past-due energy bill, a shutoff notice, disconnected service, a low fuel tank, or an unsafe heating problem. MDHHS policy says an energy crisis can include a past-due account, a shutoff notice, a fuel tank at 25% or less, a low prepay balance, or a furnace that needs repair or replacement.
Apply through MI Bridges. Upload the shutoff notice, past-due bill, fuel quote, or repair statement. If you cannot upload, ask your local MDHHS office or a MI Bridges navigator how to send papers. Once you apply, call the utility and give your confirmation number. Ask whether the account has a hold.
SER has income rules and other rules. The bill usually must be tied to your current address. If heat or electric is included in rent, MDHHS may need proof from the energy company, not just a landlord note. If you owe a copay, ask the worker what amount must be paid and by what date. If you are also struggling with housing costs, see Michigan housing help and rental assistance.
Michigan Energy Assistance Program
The Michigan Energy Assistance Program, or MEAP, helps eligible low-income households with home energy costs for their main home. It can help with electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, and other deliverable heating fuels. MEAP also focuses on services that help families move toward steadier payments, not just one-time help.
MEAP is often handled through local agencies and utility partners. Some families are routed to MEAP after SER, while others may be told to contact a MEAP grantee or 211. Ask whether MEAP can help with a past-due balance, a payment plan, or the part of the bill SER did not cover.
DTE and Consumers low-income plans
If you are a DTE customer, ask about the DTE LSP. DTE says the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan can offer shutoff protection while on the plan, affordable fixed monthly payments, and monthly forgiveness of some past-due charges if program rules are met.
If you are a Consumers Energy customer, ask about Consumers CARE. Consumers says CARE is a 24-month affordable payment plan that may provide a fixed monthly bill and pay down past-due balances while the customer makes regular payments.
These plans are useful, but they are not a free pass. You may need income proof, account review, agency enrollment, and steady payments. Ask what happens if your income changes, your bill rises, or you miss a payment.
Home Heating Credit
The Home Heating Credit is a Michigan tax credit that helps some low-income renters and homeowners with heating costs. You can file the MI-1040CR-7 by itself if you do not need to file a full Michigan tax return. For tax year 2025, the deadline is September 30, 2026.
The credit may be issued as an energy draft to a heat provider or, in some cases, as a check. It depends on your situation. If heat is included in rent, your provider is not enrolled, or you bought bulk fuel already, read the Treasury instructions before you send anything back. For other tax-related help, see Michigan tax credits.
Weatherization
The Michigan weatherization program can provide no-cost energy conservation and related health and safety services for eligible low-income households. MDHHS uses local weatherization operators, often Community Action agencies, across the state. Work may include energy-saving repairs, air sealing, insulation, or heating system items after an inspection.
This is not emergency bill payment. It is a longer-term way to lower energy use and make the home safer. Ask your local provider about waitlists, rental rules, landlord papers, and whether your home may need repairs before weatherization can start.
Shutoff protections to ask about
| Protection | Who may qualify | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Protection Plan | Customers age 65 or older, some households receiving MDHHS cash or food assistance or Medicaid, or households at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines | Ask your utility to enroll you in Winter Protection Plan. |
| Medical certification | A customer or household member with a medical condition that would be made worse by loss of service | Ask for the medical certification form and the deadline to return it. |
| Critical care status | A household member needs life-supporting medical equipment at home | Ask how to certify critical care and how often to renew it. |
| SER review hold | Households that applied for SER and have a pending shutoff | Give the utility your SER confirmation and ask if a hold is posted. |
The Winter Protection Plan runs from November 1 through March 31 for eligible customers. Low-income customers may need to pay a set monthly amount during the plan. Seniors may have different payment rules during the heating season, but money owed still has to be handled after the protection period.
Michigan also has medical shutoff protections. The MPSC says a medical emergency hold can restore or keep service on for 21 days, and the form must be completed by a physician or health official. It can be extended, but it does not erase the bill. It also does not promise uninterrupted power forever. Keep paying what you can and keep copies of every form.
Water and sewer bill help
Water help is more local than energy help. Start with your city, village, township, or water department. Ask for a payment plan, leak review, hardship program, and shutoff protection while you apply for help. Then call 2-1-1 to ask which agency handles water assistance for your county.
Michigan’s Water Assistance Program can help eligible low-income residents with water and wastewater arrears, disconnects, bill payment, and sometimes minor plumbing repair. MDHHS says households can receive up to $3,000 in bill assistance per fiscal year and up to $9,000 in metered plumbing repairs per address when funds and rules allow. Funding is limited and may run out before the program end date.
Southeast Michigan WRAP
The GLWA WRAP program helps eligible low-income households in Great Lakes Water Authority member communities. WRAP can help with past-due balances, bill payment help, conservation measures, and minor plumbing repairs. GLWA says households must live in the service area, be responsible for the water or sewer bill, live in the home, and meet income rules.
Detroit Lifeline H2O
Detroit water customers should check Lifeline H2O and EasyPay. Detroit says Lifeline H2O is an income-based plan with a $34 monthly bill for water, sewerage, and drainage for eligible customers, but enrollment was full when this guide was checked. If enrollment is full, submit the interest form if available, ask about EasyPay, and call DWSD about shutoff protection while an assistance application is pending.
Phone and internet help
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024, but Lifeline is still available for eligible households. The Michigan Lifeline page explains state and federal Lifeline discounts. The federal USAC Lifeline program can help with phone, internet, or bundled service if you meet income rules or take part in certain benefit programs.
If your child needs internet for school, call the school social worker, district family liaison, library, and 2-1-1. Ask about hotspots, low-cost internet plans, public Wi-Fi, and device help. Families using Michigan WIC or food benefits should also ask whether benefit participation helps prove Lifeline eligibility.
Documents to gather before you apply
Different programs ask for different items. Having these ready can prevent delays.
| Document | Why it helps | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Utility or water bill | Shows account number, address, amount due, and provider | Upload every page, not just the amount. |
| Shutoff notice | Shows emergency status and deadline | Call the company after uploading it. |
| Proof of income | Used for income-based programs | Gather pay stubs, benefit letters, child support proof, or unemployment proof. |
| ID and Social Security numbers | Used to verify household members | Ask MDHHS what is needed for each person. |
| Lease or proof of address | Shows where you live | Helpful if heat is included in rent or the account name is different. |
| Medical form | Needed for medical shutoff protection | Ask the clinic to return it before the deadline. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for the shutoff date. Apply and call as soon as you know you cannot pay.
- Only applying online. You still need to call the utility and ask for a hold.
- Not reading notices. A notice may tell you the exact amount, deadline, and appeal or payment rights.
- Missing a copay. If a program says you must pay part of the bill, ask for the exact deadline.
- Ignoring other bills. Food, health care, and child care help can free money for utilities. Use Michigan community support and help with bills for more paths.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask why in writing. A denial can happen because income is over the limit, documents are missing, the bill is not for your current address, the amount will not resolve the emergency, funding is not available, or the program is not the right fit.
Next, call 2-1-1 and ask for a MEAP grantee, Community Action agency, church fund, township emergency fund, or water program. Call your utility again and ask for a regular payment plan even if you were denied aid. If the utility gives confusing answers, file an informal complaint with MPSC after you try to resolve it with the company.
If you are choosing between rent, utilities, food, and medicine, ask for broader help. Our guides to real grants help and housing help can help you find safer next steps.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling MDHHS or MI Bridges help
“Hi, I am applying for State Emergency Relief for a utility emergency. I have a past-due bill or shutoff notice. Can you tell me what documents are still missing and whether my utility has been contacted for a hold?”
Calling the utility company
“Hi, I applied for SER today. My confirmation number is _____. Can you check whether a shutoff hold is on my account? Also, am I eligible for Winter Protection Plan, a payment plan, MEAP, or a low-income plan?”
Calling about medical protection
“Someone in my home has a medical condition that could get worse if service is shut off. Can you send the medical certification form and tell me the exact deadline for my doctor or health official to return it?”
Calling 2-1-1
“I am a single mother in Michigan and I need help with a utility or water bill. I already contacted my provider. Can you search for MEAP, Community Action, water assistance, church funds, and any local programs in my ZIP code?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con luz, gas, calefacción, agua, teléfono o internet en Michigan, empiece por MI Bridges para pedir State Emergency Relief. Luego llame a la compañía de servicio y diga que ya aplicó. También puede llamar al 2-1-1 para buscar ayuda local. Si alguien en su hogar tiene una condición médica, pida el formulario de protección médica contra corte de servicio. Guarde copias de todas las cartas, facturas y números de confirmación.
Frequently asked questions
Can single mothers get utility help in Michigan?
Yes. Single mothers may qualify for Michigan utility help if they meet program rules. Help may come through SER, MEAP, utility payment plans, shutoff protections, Home Heating Credit, water programs, Lifeline, or local nonprofits.
What should I do first if I have a shutoff notice?
Apply for SER through MI Bridges, upload the shutoff notice, and call the utility with your confirmation number. Ask whether a hold can be placed while the application is reviewed.
Does SER pay the money to me?
Usually no. SER energy help is generally paid to the enrolled energy provider, not to the household. The payment must help resolve the emergency under program rules.
Can Michigan stop a utility shutoff for medical reasons?
A medical certification may pause a shutoff or restore service for a limited time if a household member has a qualifying medical emergency. A physician or health official must complete the form.
Is there help for water bills in Michigan?
Yes, but water help depends on where you live and available funding. Check your water department, Michigan 211, MDHHS water assistance, GLWA WRAP if your community is covered, and Detroit Lifeline H2O if you are a DWSD customer.
Can I get internet help in Michigan?
Possibly. The federal ACP ended, but Lifeline may still lower phone or internet costs for eligible households. Check USAC, your provider, and the Michigan Lifeline page.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.