Many agencies have exhausted their resources for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, but Superior Watershed Partnership’s Michigan Energy Assistance Program (SWP MEAP) has funding for a limited time to assist Upper Peninsula residents with their heat and electric costs. SWP urges Upper Peninsula residents struggling with paying their heat and electric bills to contact the SWP MEAP Energy and Climate Office for assistance with home energy bills and energy efficiency services at 906-273-2742.
Getting started is easy and the SWP MEAP team is available to help you through the State Emergency Relief (SER) program if you have trouble completing the application on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) MI Bridges website (www.michigan.gov/MIBridges). Applicants must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and demonstrate their need for assistance which could include a past due bill or shut off notice to qualify for SER and MEAP payment services (for example, a family of four must make $3,313 per month or less to qualify).
After the Michigan household has been approved for energy assistance through MDHHS, the SWP MEAP can help with co-pays and subsequent heating and electric bills. The SWP MEAP also offers affordable payment plans and energy security services including energy education, financial counseling, free home energy score assessments, home weatherization, and free solar panel installation for up to five qualified households.
The SWP Energy and Climate Office, located at 1104 N. 3rd Street in Marquette, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., to assist residents with any energy related needs, including: MI Bridges account creation, SER application assistance, SWP MEAP requirements and assistance, energy education, financial counseling, and more. Upper Peninsula residents in need are encouraged to stop by the office or call at 906-273-2742.
Contact Tonya Swenor and Kasey Grieco at 906-273-2742 for more information.