Household Income Eligibility Guidelines

Number of Household Members Federal Household Income Guidelines: Maximum Income* Household Income Guidelines Maximum** Income Home Heating Credit: Maximum Income 1 $15,600 $20,800 $11,440 2 $21,000 $28,000 $15,400 3 $26,400 $35,200 $19,360 4 $31,800 $42.400 $23,320 5 $37,200 $49,600 $27,280 6 $42,600*** $56,800**** $31,240*****

*Based on 150 percent of poverty level set by U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
**Based on 200 percent of poverty level set by U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
*** Add $5,400 for each additional household member.
****Add $7,200 for each additional household member.
*****Add 3,960 for each additional household member.

 

Case Management

We have a team of specialists available to help low-income customers reduce their unpaid balances by providing a personal payment plan, agency referrals and follow-up. To be eligible for enrollment you must meet the following requirements:

• An unpaid balance greater than $750
• No illegal usage
• Household income at or below that stated in the 2008 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart

Earned Income Credit

This credit is available based on the income level and number of qualifying child dependents. To apply for the credit, you must file a federal income tax return with Schedule EIC. You can receive an advance cash payment through your employer or apply for the credit at tax time. Please contact a tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to apply.

Home Heating Credit E-Filing

Eligible customers may receive funds from the Michigan Department of Treasury to apply toward their heating bills. To qualify, you must meet the 2008 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Special exemptions may be available to customers 65 and older and to people with disabilities. Department of Human Services recipients and people who receive other public assistance may also be eligible for the Home Heating Credit if they owned or rented a home or apartment during the winter. You must have your household income information, birthdate and Social Security numbers for yourself and your dependents available when applying.

How to File

Option 1

1. Obtain forms in mid January from: 
   • Your tax preparer or wherever other tax forms are provided 
   • Download the forms from the Michigan Department of Treasury Web site at michigan.gov/heatingassistance The Michigan Department of Treasury by calling 800.367.6263 and request the forms be mailed to you 
   • Any Michigan Department of Treasury office 
2. Request your total heating costs from November 1 to October 31. If you are a registered user of my.dteenergy.com, you may view your Heating Cost Report online.
3. File your Home Heating Credit claim as soon as you know your annual household income. The deadline for filing is September 30. You do not need to file an income tax return to qualify for this program.

Option 2

File over the phone between January 15 and September 26 by calling DTE Energy's Home Heating Credit Hotline at 866.200.2386. Have your household income information and Social Security numbers for yourself and your dependents available before calling.

Low-Income Weatherization

Assistance with home weatherization may be available to those who meet guidelines listed on the 2008 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart. Weatherization includes caulking, weatherstripping, and insulation. More information on the weatherization program is available at the Michigan Department of Treasury Web site at michigan.gov/heatingassistance. Please contact your local Community Action Agency, or United Way (call 211), to apply.

THAW - The Heat and Warmth Fund

Customers who meet the guidelines from the 2008 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart, are in shut-off status, and have exhausted all federal and state funding programs may be eligible for assistance. The program begins October 15, 2008 for customers who receive a shut-off notice. For assistance, contact one of the following THAW Fund administrators.

United Way	211
Cell phone users	800.552.1183
THAW	800.866.THAW (8429)

State Emergency Relief Program (SER)

Eligible low-income households may receive help paying energy bills year-round through the State Emergency Relief program. Contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office or call the Energy Assistance Hotline, 800.292.5650 You do not have to be a DHS client to apply.

Winter Protection Plan (WPP)

This program protects seniors and low-income customers from shutoff between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payment will increase to cover winter bills.

To enroll, customers should call us at 800.477.4747 between November 1 and March 31, and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Age 62 or older
• Receive Department of Human Services (DHS) cash assistance
• Receive food stamps
• Receive Medicaid
• Household income at or below that stated in the 2008 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart

 

Programs offered to all DTE Energy customers

United Way 211

Call 211 to receive information from United Way about available assistance services and resources, such as utility or rent payment assistance, child and elder care, emergency shelters, job training, counseling, etc.  For cell phone users or land lines without 211 capabilities, call United Way at 800.552.1183.

Credit Counseling

DTE Energy works with GreenPath, a non-profit consumer credit counseling service, to help customers develop a budget that will help them manage their money. This credit counseling service is available to all residential customers, regardless of income, with arrears greater than $300.  A monthly budget plan spreads out your future bills over a specified period (usually not to exceed 24 months). 

For more information call DTE Energy’s dedicated line to (GreenPath) at 888.235.1003. Office hours are: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Double-Notice Protection Plan

Allow us to send a duplicate shut-off notice to a consenting friend, relative or agency. The designated friend, relative or agency is not responsible for paying the overdue bill; the duplicate notice simply alerts them to take some action on your behalf. This plan is helpful when an unexpected event, such as an extended vacation or a long hospital stay, may keep you from paying your bill on time. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

Medical Emergencies

Shut off of an account may be postponed for up to 21 days due to a medical emergency. Written proof from a doctor or notice from a public health or social services agency stating that service shutoff will aggravate an existing medical emergency must be provided. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

Shut Off Protection Plan

This plan is available to all residential customers regardless of income, and provides year-round protection from shut off. This monthly budget plan spreads out your future bills over 12 equal monthly payments plus equal monthly payments on your unpaid balance with an initial down payment of 10 percent of your total bill. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

Shut off Protection: Active Military

If you or your spouse is called to full-time active military service during a time of declared national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shut-off protection for up to 90 days. You may request extensions of this protection by re-applying. You must provide verification of active duty status. At the end of active duty, you must notify us of your status. You will still be required to pay for the energy service used during your participation in this program. We will enroll you in a payment plan for all past due amounts to be paid within one year. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.