Get Help Managing Your Bill
Many in our community could use a helping hand. We're here to provide it. See which guided recommendations fit you below and we’ll suggest options to help you manage your bill.
Guided Recommendations
Payment Arrangements
Pay off your balance on a schedule that best fits you.
- Predictable payments
- Payments are split and can be made weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is open year-round
- Eligibility varies based on payment and account history
- Note that you can’t be on any other payment plan program
Payment Holds
Need a little extra time to pay your bill? Payment Holds is an ideal option for when you can pay your full bill amount but need up to 10 more days to do so. Please note: You can only place one Payment Hold per billing cycle.
- Get more time to pay your bill
Eligibility Criteria
- Your account should be active and in good standing (not currently shut off)
- You shouldn’t be enrolled in Payment Arrangements. Auto-pay or a plan (Budget Plan, Winter Protection Plan, Shut-off Protection Plan) at this time
- Your account must not have any history of fraud or theft
CARE Program
A 24-month payment plan that helps you stay on top of your energy bills with financial support.
- An affordable fixed bill
- Past due balance forgiveness
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment period is Oct. 1 until funds last
- Account address must be the applicant’s main residence or belong to someone authorized to apply on their behalf
- Must not have unaddressed theft, fraud, or bankruptcy
- Prior application for State Emergency Relief (SER) is no longer required
- Households experiencing crisis (past-due notices) who are at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may be asked to apply for SER
- Customers who receive state benefits such as State Emergency Relief (SER), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Heating Credit (HHC), etc. are automatically eligible; proof of program participation will be required upon application
- Must meet household income guidelines at or below 60% State Median Income (SMI)
State Emergency Relief
Get assistance with heat or electric past due notice, or a shut-off notice.
- Get a payment applied to your bill
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment period is Oct. 1 until funds last
- Apply using the link below or in-person at local MDHHS offices
- Must have a past-due amount or shut-off notice
- Must meet household income guidelines at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Green Giving
When you enroll in this free program, you help us create a clean energy future, while earning bill credits to lower your monthly bill.
- Support clean energy at no cost to you and earn bill credits
- Easy online enrollment
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is year-round and is based on available supply
- Must be an electric customer
- Income qualified customers who are enrolled in the Residential Income Assistance (RIA) program, or have received a home energy audit through our Income-qualified Energy Waste Reduction Program
- Qualified customers may not be currently enrolled in:
- The Low-Income Assistance Credit (LIAC)
- Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE)
Home Energy Analysis
Schedule a free in-home visit to get upgrades and tips that could help you save up to $150 a year.
- Free energy-saving upgrades
- See how you're using energy with a free Home Energy Report
- Easy online enrollment
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is year-round
- You must be a homeowner or renter with property manager permission
- You must not have had a Home Energy Analysis within 5 years
Smart Thermostat Program
Earn $25 for allowing us to adjust your smart thermostat on select summer days when demand for energy is high.
- All you have to do is participate, we'll handle the rest
- Easy online enrollment
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is year-round; program runs June through August
- Be a Consumers Energy residential electric customer and electric service is in your name
- Have an eligible Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat in your home
- Allow the program to make brief, small thermostat adjustments on days of high energy demand
- You must not be currently enrolled in Critical Peak Pricing and / or AC Peak Cycling
Budget Plan
A consistent payment plan that is based on your average bill amounts from the last 12 months.
- We review your payments every four months and may make slight adjustments to your bill
- After a year, we’ll balance your account. Any overpayment becomes a credit that can be applied to your next bill(s); any underpayment is rolled into your new Budget Plan
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is year-round
- Past due balance is below $75
Home Heating Credit
This tax credit helps homeowners and renters with their energy bill.
- Get part of your energy bill paid for
- You don’t need to file income taxes to receive this credit
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment period is January 1 through September 30
- Average credit $250 per customer
- Get free help submitting your HHC form by clicking the button below or visiting one of these sites:
- Must meet household income guidelines at or below 110% Federal Poverty Level
Shut-Off Protection Plan
An 18-month protection plan from shut-off for seniors and qualifying customers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment is year-round
- You must be 65 years or older
- You must receive cash or food assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services or Medicaid
- Income below 200% Federal Poverty Level
Winter Protection Plan
A protection plan against shut-off and high payments during the wintertime.
- No shut-off in winter
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment period is from November to March
- You must be 65 years or older
- Receives cash or food assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services or Medicaid
- Income below 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
MI Veterans Trust Fund
Get help with a financial crisis related to mortgage, rent, emergency home, auto repairs, property taxes and utility bills.
- Get financial support with your utility bills
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment period is year-round
- Two programs available:
- Emergency Grant Program or 65+ Peacetime Program
- See further Michigan Veterans Trust Fund eligibility here
- To enroll reach out your local office by clicking the button below
Senior Citizen Bill Credits
Seniors can receive a $4.00 credit to their electric bill each month.
- Get a free bill credit every month
Eligibility Criteria
- Account holder must be 65 years of age or older and only applicable at primary residence
- Cannot be combined with the Low-Income Assistance Credit (LIAC) or Residential Income Assistance (RIA)
- If there's an issue with receiving the credit, please confirm your birthday is correctly submitted by calling 800-477-5050
Medical Assistance
If you have a life-threatening medical condition or need life support, please click below to explore helpful options.
- Critical Care Program: If you are on life support or have a life-threatening medical condition, you can be protected from a shut-off. Please complete the Medical Certification Form to get started. Please note, if you have life support shut-off protection, you need to re-enroll every year.
- PLEASE NOTE: Backup generators and transportation services are not part of this program. Being in this program does not mean your electric power will be restored sooner than others.
- Medical Emergency Protection: If you have a qualifying, documented medical emergency, you can be protected from an energy service shut-off for up to 21 days.
- Send us written proof from a doctor or a notice from a public health official that service shutoff will make an existing medical condition worse with this form. Once you’ve filled out the form, call us at 800-477-5050.
- For the complete details, see Consumer Standards and Billing Practices For Electric and Gas Residential Service.
- Third Party Notification: We’ll send a copy of any shut-off notice you receive to a third party, with your written authorization. This third party may be a consenting friend, relative or agency. Your third-party contact is not responsible for paying your bill but may act as a liaison between you and Consumers Energy. To set up please fill out the form on the Third Party Notification page.
Active Duty
If you are currently serving in the military, we offer Shut-Off Protection. To learn more, please click below.
- Shut-off Protection – Active Duty in the Military: If you (or your spouse) are the customer of record and you’re called to full-time active military service, you may apply for shut-off protection for up to 90 days. After 90 days, you may request to extend this extension by reapplying.
- You must verify your active duty status.
- At the end of active duty, you must let us know of your change in status.
- You still will need to pay for the energy you used while you were in this program.
- We will set up a payment plan for all past due amounts to be paid within one year.
- To join, call us at 800-477-5050
Michigan Energy Assistance Program
We work with agencies to provide energy assistance programs that include help paying energy bills, household budgeting and energy efficiency.
Call 2-1-1 to determine which agencies below are open:The United Way
of South Central Michigan
uwenergyhelp.org
517-741-0202
The Heat and Warmth
Fund (THAW)
thawfund.org/assistance/
800-866-8429
St. Vincent de
Paul Society
svdpdetroit.org/Get-Help
877-788-4623
True North
Community Services
tnempower.org
231-355-5880
Barry County United Way
bcunitedway.org
269-945-4010
The United Way of Southeastern Michigan
unitedwaysem.org/utility-assistance/
844-211-4994
The Salvation Army
salarmy.us/energy
616-929-1645
Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity
micommunityaction.org
Or contact your local
Community Action Agency
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