Consumers Energy THAW Heat and Warmth Fund utility assistance

Using donations from the public as well as matching grants from Consumers Energy, the THAW program is one of the main resources for helping families save money on and pay their utility bills. Assistance is targeted at the low income that would have a health or safety issue without assistance, such as seniors or the disabled that receive their electric or heating service from Consumers Energy.

The goal is to address winter heating and utility service, so funds from THAW will be paid out during the cold Michigan winter. It does rely strictly on contributions and donations from the public, so please give to it if you can. Each and every dollar given to the program will go to help a low income household with their utilities, and the money is targeted at those customers that are facing just a one time hardship and that are not in chronic poverty.

A non-profit runs the Heat and Warmth Fund across Michigan and also the Consumers Energy area. So they collect all the money, process applications, and provide assistance with utility bills to those people that are qualified. The phone number to apply at is (800) 866-THAW.

As noted, THAW only is possible due to donations. The organization will receive money from foundations, individuals, businesses, local fund raisers, and matching grants from Consumers Energy. When contributing, their will be a tax deduction provided to individuals, so there the contribution will not cost as much as someone would think.

The THAW funds are paid out from January-May of each year, and the reason that funds are distributed as late as May is to help Consumers Energy customers pay off an arrears on their account. The assistance is also in the form of a credit or voucher on the account as well, so cash is not given directly to the person seeking assistance.

 

 

 

 

Not only will donations be accepted from people across Michigan, but Consumers Energy also will math donations of its customers, to a limit. So if someone contributes $5, the matching funds will also be given to THAW, so this makes the program much more effective.

Not all people will be approved. The assistance is only targeted at very low income Consumer Energy families. While the amount paid out will depend on the total donation levels and a number of other factors, the most common amounts paid out for utility or heating bills will range from $250 to $500 per household.

There also needs to be some type of past due amount on the account, but the Consumer Energy customer most have shown an ability to pay their bill on time before they were faced with the hardship. So a number of factors will be reviewed.

Anyone that needs assistance can dial Heat and Warmth Fund at (800) 866-8429. People that wish to donate can either contact Consumers Energy or they too can call THAW. The process will be explained to them on how to contribute money to the charity.