STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Michigan

CLIENTS SERVED: Low-income Michigan households struggling to afford heating, electricity, or water bills, including utility shutoffs or service disconnections.

DESCRIPTION: The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent nonprofit organization that helps Michigan households maintain essential utility services and achieve greater financial stability. Assistance is distributed through statewide partnerships and is subject to program eligibility, funding, and availability.

PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

• Energy Assistance: Provides financial assistance for heating and electricity bills through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), including one-time payments and affordable payment plans. Households must generally have income at or below 60% of the State Median Income. An approved State Emergency Relief (SER) decision is no longer required to qualify.
  • One-Time Utility Payments: Helps eligible households pay overdue gas or electric bills, prevent disconnection, or restore utility service.
  • Affordable Payment Plans: Helps households enroll in participating utility payment plans whic provide reduced or fixed monthly payments, shutoff protection, and gradual reduction of past-due balances.
  • Missed Payment Assistance: May help eligible households who have fallen behind on an existing affordable payment plan.
• Water Bill Assistance: Provides up to $750 toward past-due residential water bills for eligible Michigan households, depending on available funding.
• Whole Home Assessments: Offers home energy assessments for eligible residents of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties to identify energy efficiency and weatherization needs.
  • Home Energy Assessment: A licensed technician evaluates the home and identifies opportunities to reduce energy consumption and utility costs.
  • Weatherization Referrals: Connects residents with programs that may provide insulation, air sealing, and other energy efficiency improvements.
  • Energy-Saving Kits: Eligible households may receive free conservation products that could reduce annual energy costs.
• Customer Assistance Days: Periodic virtual consultations to help residents understand affordable payment plans, one-time utility assistance, and State Emergency Relief applications. Dates are announced as events become available.
• Community Resource Referrals: Connects households with other utility assistance programs, financial stability resources, and community services when additional support is needed.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Energy Assistance: Visit the THAW Assistance page to check current application availability and apply online. Submit identification, Social Security card, proof of income, and current utility bills. Applicants with energy bills exceeding $2,500 are encouraged to apply for State Emergency Relief first.
• Water Assistance & Whole Home Assessments: Call 800-866-8429 to confirm eligibility, funding availability, and application procedures.
• Application Assistance: Call or text “THAW” to 800-866-8429 to speak with a Utility Assistance Specialist, Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 4:45 pm