Utilities
Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – State Emergency Relief (SER)
First, complete a State Emergency Relief (SER) application through MI Bridges.
Address: 22 Center St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Phone: (734) 481-2000
Website:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/emergency-relief
Apply through MI Bridges:
https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
SER provides emergency assistance to eligible households experiencing serious financial hardship or a health/safety emergency. Assistance may include:
- Heat and electricity
- Home repairs
- Rent/relocation assistance
- Security deposits and moving expenses
- Home ownership-related assistance
- Burial/cremation costs
- Other eligible emergency housing or utility needs
Eligibility is based on household circumstances, income, assets, and the type of assistance requested. SER is intended for temporary emergency needs, not ongoing or chronic financial difficulties.
Utility assistance is available year-round. For heat or electric assistance, households generally must have a past-due or shutoff-related emergency and meet current SER eligibility requirements.
For Preventing Shut-off LONG TERM
DTE Energy – Payment & Shutoff Assistance
Phone: (800) 477-4747
Website: https://www.dteenergy.com/help
DTE offers several programs for customers who are behind on their energy bills or at risk of shutoff. DTE can help identify a payment plan based on the household’s income, balance, and energy needs.
Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP): Available year-round for income-qualified customers at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and eligible seniors. The plan spreads the past-due balance and estimated future energy costs over 12 months. A down payment and income verification are required.
Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP): Provides eligible households with affordable monthly payments based on income and energy use, shutoff protection, and gradual forgiveness of up to $3,000 in past-due energy charges when program requirements are met.
Winter Protection Plan: Helps protect eligible low-income households and seniors from shutoff during the heating season, November 1–March 31.
Payment Agreements: Available to customers who need additional time to pay a past-due balance.
For energy-efficiency assistance and information about home energy assessments, rebates, insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving improvements, call (866) 796-0512.
Friends In Deed
Friends In Deed – Essential Services
Address: 1196 Ecorse Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Phone: (734) 484-4357
Website: Friends In Deed
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM–2:30 PM
Provides short-term assistance with rent, utilities, security deposits, transportation-related needs, and other urgent financial hardships for Washtenaw County residents. Assistance depends on current funding and is not guaranteed.
Eligibility: Must live in Washtenaw County and be experiencing a temporary financial hardship. Friends In Deed generally serves households that have not received assistance from them within the past 12 months.
For utility assistance, families should have:
- Photo ID
- Current utility bill showing shutoff status
- 30 days of proof of income for all household members
- SER decision notice from MDHHS
Call first to speak with the Essential Services team and find out what documentation is needed. Walk-ins are not accepted for assistance requests; appointments are scheduled after intake.
The Heat and Warmth Fund
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund
Provides energy assistance to income-eligible Michigan households that are behind on heat or electric bills, disconnected, or having difficulty maintaining a utility payment plan.
Phone: (800) 866-THAW (8429)
Website: https://thawfund.org/assistance-2/
Application Hours: Applications open Monday–Friday beginning at 8:00 AM and remain available until the daily submission limit is reached. Assistance specialists are available by phone Monday–Friday.
Families may be asked to provide:
- Photo ID
- Most recent utility bill
- Proof of household income for the past 30 days, when required
- Social Security information, depending on the program
- Completed and signed application
- SER decision notice, when applicable
An SER approval or denial is no longer required for MEAP assistance. Households receiving programs such as SNAP/FAP, FIP/TANF, WIC, Head Start, SSI, or the Home Heating Credit may also meet MEAP eligibility requirements.
Help on lowering your costs
DTE Home Energy Consultation
DTE residential customers may qualify for a FREE Home Energy Consultation. A DTE energy specialist will visit the home, provide personalized recommendations to help reduce energy use and bills, and install eligible energy-saving products at no cost.
Free products may include:
- Programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, when eligible
- Kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators
- Energy-efficient showerheads
- Hot water pipe wrap
Eligibility: Current DTE residential customers living in a single-family home, duplex, or condominium. Apartments or buildings with three or more units are generally not eligible for this program.
Phone: (866) 796-0512
Website:
dteenergy.com
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance / Michigan Energy Assistance
Michigan residents who need help paying home heating or electric costs may qualify for assistance through State Emergency Relief (SER) and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).
Eligibility is based on household income, household size, utility situation, and the specific program. Households that participate in programs such as SNAP/FAP, WIC, Head Start, SSI, TANF/FIP, or State Disability Assistance may meet eligibility requirements for MEAP.
Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER):
https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/
Michigan Energy Assistance Information:
https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/energy-assistance
Need help finding an energy assistance program?
Call 2-1-1
National LIHEAP Energy Assistance Helpline:
(866) 674-6327, Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM Eastern.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program
Michigan Water Assistance Program
Provides help with residential water and wastewater bills for eligible low-income households. Assistance may include:
- Paying past-due water or sewer bills
- Preventing shutoff
- Restoring disconnected service
- Helping with water affordability/payment plans
Households may receive up to $3,000 in assistance per fiscal year.
Eligibility: Household must have a residential metered water/wastewater account and generally be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, or currently receive certain benefits such as SNAP/FAP, TANF/FIP, SER, SSI, WIC, or Weatherization Assistance.
Program Information:
Michigan Water Assistance Program
Washtenaw County residents can use the state page to find the current Community Action Agency administering water assistance locally. If Washtenaw County is not listed, call 2-1-1 for help locating the current provider.
MEAP
United Way for Southeastern Michigan – Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
MEAP helps eligible households with energy bills, past-due balances, affordable payment plans, and energy self-sufficiency services. United Way for Southeastern Michigan provides MEAP assistance statewide.
Current Funding: United Way currently has limited utility-assistance funding available for DTE customers. If you have another utility provider, call 2-1-1 to find energy-assistance programs available in your area.
Families may need documentation such as:
- Most recent utility bill
- Photo ID
- Proof of household income/benefit statements
- State Emergency Relief (SER) information, when applicable
United Way can assist applicants with the SER/MI Bridges process as part of its energy-assistance services.
Phone: (844) 211-4994
2-1-1: Dial 211 for additional utility-assistance options
Website:
https://unitedwaysem.org/resources/utility-assistance/
Application Portal:
https://uwsem.smapply.org/
Important: United Way’s 2025–26 MEAP application period is currently closed. The application portal says new MEAP applications will reopen October 1, 2026.
Salvation Army-Ann Arbor
The Salvation Army – Washtenaw County Utility Assistance
Address: 100 Arbana Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 668-8353
Website: Salvation Army Washtenaw County
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch.
Provides utility assistance and other emergency support to Washtenaw County residents when funding is available. Assistance is by appointment only.
For energy assistance, households with a past-due energy bill and income under 150% of the Federal Poverty Level should first apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through MI Bridges. Households that have already applied for SER, or that meet other program income guidelines, may then apply for Salvation Army energy assistance.
Documents may include:
- Photo ID
- Most recent utility bill
- Proof of household income for the past 45 days
- SER information/decision, when applicable
Apply for SER:
https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/
Apply for Salvation Army Energy Assistance:
https://energyassistancesalvationarmymi.smapply.us/
SOS Resource Center
Utility Assistance: SOS can provide help with utility bills for Washtenaw County residents experiencing a short-term financial emergency. Assistance depends on available funding.
To apply: Call (734) 484-5411
Family Resource Center:
114 N. River St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Hours:
Monday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Thursday & Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
SOS also provides MI Bridges navigation and can help families apply for State Emergency Relief (SER).