Local Agencies Offer Help With Energy Bills

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: "Walk for Warmth" Mackinac County

Ceiling: $400 maximum per household, higher in special circumstances.

When offered: February 5

Details: This funding is available for paying heating bills. Funds are only available for residents of Mackinac County.

Contact: (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: "Walk for Warmth" Chippewa County

Ceiling: $550 maximum per household, for deliverable fuel, such as propane, fuel oil, and wood; $400 per household, for natural gas and electricity. Assistance levels may be higher in special circumstances.

When offered: Available immediately

Details: This funding is available for paying heating bills. Funds are available for residents of Chippewa County only.

Contact: (800) 562-4963.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: Deliverable Fuel Program

Ceiling: $ 550 maximum per household

When Offered: Available immediately

Details: This program can be used to pay for heating oil, propane, or wood costs.

Contact: (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: Metered Fuels Program

Ceiling: $400 per household

When Offered: Available immediately

Details: This funding can be used to pay electricity or natural gas bills.

Contact: (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: Homeless Prevention

Ceiling: $350 per household

When Offered: February 9

Details: This funding can be applied to security deposits, or any kind of fuel or utility bill. It can be used to prevent anything which could cause homelessness, such as fixing furnaces, repairing broken windows, thawing frozen pipes, or other threats that could lead to the need to vacate a home.

Contact: (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: Weatherization

Ceiling: Varies by individual circumstances. $3,000 is generally the largest amount offered. More funding may be available in special circumstances.

When offered: Available immediately.

Details: This funding can be used for caulking; replacing storm doors; insulation for ducts, attics, knee walls, and side-walls; inspections and repairs of furnaces and water heaters; replacement of broken or missing windows; re-glazing and insulating around windows. It is available to homeowners only. The funding must be used by licensed, private contractors who work with Community Action.

Contact: (800) 562-4963, or (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Department of Human Services (DHS)

Name of Program: State Emergency Relief (SER)

Ceiling: $550

When Offered: Available immediately

Details: This funding pays for natural gas, wood, or electricity bills.

Contact: (906) 643-9550.

Sponsor: DHS

Name of Program: State Emergency Relief (SER)

Ceiling: $850 per household

When Offered: Available immediately

Details: This funding pays for deliverable fuels such as heating oil and propane.

Contact: (906) 643-9550.

Sponsor: DHS

Name of Program: Emergency Services (ES)

Ceiling: $500. Higher in special circumstances.

When Offered: Available immediately

Details: This program can be used to pay heating bills. ES funding can also be used to pay for transportation to a homeless shelter. ES is designed for people who do not qualify for the State Emergency Relief program sponsored by DHS, or who reach the maximum SER provides but still need assistance.

Contact: (906) 643-9550

Sponsor: Anishnabek Community Family Services Center (ACFS)

Name of Program: Heating Assistance

Ceiling: Not specified

When Offered: Available immediately through September 30, 2007, or until funds are depleted.

Details: This funding can be used to pay for any type of fuel used for household heating. It is offered to members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Contact: (906) 643-8103

Sponsor: ACFS

Name of Program: Crisis Energy Assistance for Target Households

When Offered: Immediately through September 30, 2007, or until funds are depleted

Ceiling: Not specified

Details: This program can be used to pay for any type of fuel used for household heating. It is offered to households with at least one member of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. "Target households" are homes which include someone 60 years or older, a disabled person, or a child 5 years old or younger.

Contact: (906) 643-8103

Sponsor: ACFS

Name of Program: Crisis Energy Assistance for Non-Target Households

Ceiling: Not specified

When Offered: February 1 until September 30, 2007, or when funds are depleted

Details: This funding can be used to pay for any type of fuel used for household heating. It is offered to members of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, including members of non-target households. "Target households" are homes which include someone 60 years or older, a disabled person, or a child 5 years old or younger.

Contact: (906) 643-8103.

Sponsor: ACFS

Name of Program: Weatherization Assistance

Ceiling: Not specified

When Offered: Immediately through September 30, 2007, or until funds are depleted.

Details: This funding can be used to pay for materials for residents who are able to do home repairs themselves, or it can also be used to hire licensed contractors for people not able to do home repairs themselves. It is offered to members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians who are homeowners residing in the tribal service area. Through the program, members can get old or broken windows replaced. Rotten frames and inadequate doors can be replaced. Insulation can be installed.

Contact: (906) 643-8103.

Sponsor: Sault Ste. Marie Salvation Army

Name of Program: Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Heating Program

Ceiling: Discretion of Social Services director

When offered: Available immediately, until funds are depleted.

Details: This program is available to residents of Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties. It pays one month's energy bill, possibly more in special circumstances. It can be used for any type of home heating, including propane and other forms of gas heat, firewood, and electricity. The program cannot be used to pay water bills.

Contact: (906) 632-6521.