Home Heating Credit Still Available to Qualifying Customers

Consumers Energy encourages qualifying residential customers who have not yet received a Home Heating Credit this year to file for a State of Michigan Home Heating Credit available through September 30, 2012. Qualifying Michigan residents can get help paying their heating bills.

“With federal funding cuts for utility assistance anticipated this coming winter, the time to act is now,” said Whitney Skeans, Consumers Energy’s customer assistance coordinator. “Since January, over 130,000 Consumers Energy customers have received a credit on the average of $148 per household. When you consider that this represents about two months of heating cost, it’s no small change. Indeed, every bit helps.”

Last year, more than 484,000 Michigan residents received $66.8 million in aid through the Home Heating Credit program, which is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Home Heating Credit is based on household size and income. It can be applied to all heating costs, including propane and purchased firewood. Applicants do not need to file a state tax return to receive this credit.

Consumers Energy can provide applicants with their annual heating cost, required on the form, by calling the utility at 1-800-477-5050. Additional information for Consumers Energy customers on how to apply for a Home Heating Credit is available by visiting www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers.

The Home Heating Credit Claim form (MI-1040CR-7) is generally available wherever other tax forms are provided. You also may get forms from the Michigan Department of Treasury at (517) 636-4486, at www.michigan.gov/taxes, at Consumers Energy bill payment offices, at www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers, or by calling the utility at (800) 477-5050. For customers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston counties, free filing assistance is available at 5 metro-area locations through the Accounting Aid Society (1-866-673-0873).

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.