Utility Assistance.
Keep Your Monthly Bills Affordable.
There have been significant changes this year with administering the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. Our program focuses on supporting clients in times of crisis with payment assistance and achieving self-sufficiency.
What we can do for you?
Call our office to complete an intake over the phone where we will:
- Review your Utility Bill
- Review your income and expenses
- Create a budget
Next:
Follow steps 1-4 in applying for State Emergency Relief (SER) with DHHS.
Documents Needed
Documents you will need to upload include but are not limited to:
- Copy of Utility Bill
- All Bank statements showing last 30 days of income (Provide a copy even if you have not had income)
- Last 30 days of earned income
- Social Security income
- Pension
- Registration to vehicle
- Any documentation showing if you own or rent your home. (These documents are required in order for DHHS to make an eligibility determiation for assistance on the utility bill)
Program Details
(Some services require SER approval)
- Co-payment for State Emergency Relief (SER) or One-Time Utility Assistance.
- Enrollment into an Affordable Payment Program, including CARE for Consumers Energy and SEMCO.
- Financial counseling, budgeting, energy education, short and long term case management services.
- Assessment and referrals that extend beyond utility assistance.
First Step.
Complete the Barry County United Way self-sufficiency application.
- This application may be obtained in our office by email, or fax.
Second Step.
Complete the State Emergency Relief (SER) application process. You may complete this application in our office.
- Visit newmibridgeslogin.michigan.gov
- Create a MI Bridges Account (if you do not have an account).
- Submit a State Emergency Relief application through the website or local DHHS office.
Upload required documents – DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
- Copy of Utility Bill
- All Bank statements showing last 30 days of income (Provide a copy even if you have not had income) Last 30 days of earned income, Social Security income, Pension
- Registration to vehicle
- Any documentation showing if you own or rent your home (These documents are required in order for DHHS to make an eligibility determiation for assistance on the utility bill)
Third Step.
Send an Energy Self-Sufficiency Referral
- Select \”Barry County United Way\” from the list. If you do not see \”Barry County United Way\”, enter 0739-004 as the CP ID, and click \”Find Organization\”. Click Continue and you\’ll be prompted to share information with our agency. You need to check the boxes you feel comfortable with, knowing that we can best assist when all three boxes are checked.
Fourth Step.
Communicate with the Barry County United Way.
- After you complete the third step, a referral will be sent to the lead contact at Barry County United Way. A caseworker will contact you within the next day depending on when the referral is received.
- Please call if you receive your SER determination letter and haven\’t heard from us.
Other Local Agencies
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