Resources Available To Help With Energy Costs

The following resources are available to local residents who need energy assistance:

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: "Walk for Warmth" Mackinac County

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

When offered: Tentatively set for February 9, 2008.

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

Contact: (906) 643-8595.

Sponsor: Community Action Name of Program: "Walk for Warmth" Chippewa County

Ceiling: $550 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.

Contact: (800) 562-4963.

Sponsor: Community Action

Name of Program: Deliverable Fuel Program

Ceiling: $550 per household.

When Offered: Available immediately.

Details: This program can be used to pay for heating oil, propane, wood, pellets, or coal 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: 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: $350

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: $650

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 or 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: $700 per household.

When Offered: Available immediately through September 30, 2008, 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: January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008, 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 income-eligible households with at least one member of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. "Target households" are homes that include someone 60 years or older, a disabled person, or a child five 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, 2008, until September 30, 2008, 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 five years old or younger. Contact: (906) 643-8103.

Sponsor: ACFS

Name of Program: Weatherization Assistance

Ceiling: Not Specified.

When Offered: Immediately through September 30, 2008, or until funds are depleted.

Details: This funding can be used to pay for materials for residents to make their homes more energy efficient. 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, and rotten frames and inadequate doors replaced.

Contact: (906) 643-8103.

Sponsor: ACFS

Name of Program: Elder Heating Assistance Program

Ceiling: $500 per household.

When Offered: January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008.

Details: This program is designed for members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians who are 60 years old or older. It is open to members whose incomes make them ineligible for other ACFS-energy-assistance programs. Funds can be used to pay for any form of energy used to heat the household.

Sponsor: Sault Ste. Marie Salvation Army

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

Ceiling: Discretion of Social Services director.

When offered: Upon receipt of state funds.

Details: This program is available to residents of Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties. A payment can be used to pay for any type of home heating, once per heating season.

Contact: (906) 632-6521.

St. Ignace Project Hope Emergency Hotline

The Hope Chest emergency hotline, 643-6780, can be used to connect people with food through the St. Ignace Food Pantry, shelter, transportation, and emergency help with utilities or medical expenses.