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		Points of View December 3, 2001 Guest Column © 2001 Rich Brown Published with Permission

Home Heating Assistance

By Michigan Rep. Rich Brown, D-Bessemer

State agencies and several gas companies in Michigan have programs to help people pay their utility bills in the winter. Home heating assistance is available from many sources, and I would like to review some of those programs in this column.

Home Heating Credit: The Michigan Department of Treasury and the Family Independence Agency (FIA) administer this state program. You can apply for the credit if you have a low income, receive public assistance or receive unemployment.

Under this program, you can receive up to $150 or more to help pay your winter heating bills. Eligible customers must meet income guidelines or alternate guidelines based on household income, exemptions and heating costs. Income guidelines for this program might change by the end of the year due to legislation the Senate currently is considering. More information will be available with the forms that you fill out for the credit. These forms will be available in January at public libraries or bill payment offices at your utility company. Forms must be filed by September 30, 2002, to receive the credit.

Positive Billing Program: The FIA also administers a program for FIA clients who receive Michigan Family Independence Program (MFIP) assistance or State Disability Assistance (SDA) and are responsible for paying their own utility bill. This program offers energy service shut-off protection during the heating season. If you qualify, the FIA will withhold your heating and/or electric payment and send it directly to your utility company to help pay your bill.

Low-Income Weatherization: Local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer help to low-income families who want to weatherize their homes to help save on heating costs. The program includes weather-stripping, caulking and insulating. Contact your local CAA for more information on the program and income guidelines to qualify.

State Emergency Relief (SER): The FIA also offers a program to low-income families who are not FIA clients to help them after they have received an energy service shut-off notice or have a need for deliverable fuel. Contact your local FIA office for more information about this program and the income guidelines.

Earned Income Tax Credit: The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service offer an earned income tax credit (EITC) to families who have:

• at least one worker in the family household;
• a household family income of less than $28,281; and
• one qualifying child living in the family household for at least six months of the year.

The credit could be as much as $2,428, which could help pay for winter heating costs as well as other bills. A family with a household income of less than $32,121, with more than one qualifying child, could receive a credit of as much as $4,008. Applicants age 25 to 64 with a yearly income of less than $10,710 and without a qualifying child in the home could receive a credit of as much as $364.

You must file a federal income tax return to apply for the credit. Schedule EIC must be filed along with Form 1040-A or 1040. You can receive an advance cash payment through your employer or apply for the credit at tax time.

For more information about the EITC and free help filling out tax forms, call the IRS at: 1-800-829-1040.

PeopleCare: Local Salvation Army organizations have programs to help people with emergency needs, such as food, clothing, transportation, shelter, home heating and medicine. The Salvation Army operates these programs with private donations. Contact your local Salvation Army for more information.

Several utility companies also have their own programs to help low-income families, senior citizens or persons with special medical situations. Examples of these programs include budget plans, medical emergency protection plans and winter protection plans. Programs differ from company to company, but if you are experiencing difficulty paying your winter heating bills it will not hurt to inquire at your local utility office about any special programs.

Learn more about the author of this guest column, Rich Brown.

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