Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)

Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is sponsored by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) / Superior Watershed Partnership. The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides energy payments and services to income-eligible households. The Superior Watershed Partnership is an MDHHS Navigation, Referral, and Access Partner for MEAP.

Energy Conservation and Assistance – Superior Watershed Partnership & Land Conservancy Superior Watershed Partnership Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Do You Need Assistance With Your Utility Bills? THE SUPERIOR WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP MICHIGAN ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS OUT OF FUNDING. WE EXPECT TO HAVE FUNDING AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2026.

IF YOU HAVE AN URGENT NEED PLEASE CALL 211 OR GO TO 211. ORG. Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan residents needing assistance should call the Superior Watershed Partnership Energy Office at 906-273-2742.

Caseworkers are here to help! The Superior Watershed Partnership is a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Navigation, Referral, and Access Partner for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). Our MEAP program is live for the current grant term!

Learn About The Available Assistance Programs Depending on your income level there are assistance programs available to help!

Energy Security Services: Energy & Financial Education, Referrals to Other Agencies, Department of Energy Home Energy Scores, Snugg Pro Energy Assessments, Utility EWR Referrals, Residential Solar Available Assistance Programs: The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides energy payments and services to income eligible households.

Approved households may receive direct payment assistance, enrollment into affordable payment plans, home energy assessments, and/or utility Energy Waste Reduction referrals. MEAP is changing for the new grant term beginning October 1, 2025, so continue reading to find out how these changes will impact your household. What’s new for MEAP beginning October 1 st 2025?

More households will be eligible due to the increase from 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 60% State Median Income (SMI) A utility bill is no longer required to be past due for MEAP (this does not apply for LIHEAP/SER) Customers can apply for fuel oil and propane when they are at 30% for MEAP (this does not apply for LIHEAP/SER) The MEAP cap will be $2,500 per household for heat and electric (this does not apply for LIHEAP/SER) Households that are approved for Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) State Emergency Relief (SER) (since October 2025), SSI, SDA and the Home Heating Credit will only need to fill out the MEAP Application once and will use the energy request form for additional assistance.

Households with all other incomes will be required to fill out the MEAP Application and will need to provide updated income verification each time they request an assist. Due to the increased requirements and income verification, it could take up to 10 days to process applications.

We encourage households to be proactive and submit itemized utility bills as soon as they are received or contact us when they are at 30% of their deliverable fuel. Who is eligible for MEAP?

Households that are at or below the 60% State Median Income (SMI) are eligible for MEAP energy assistance and Energy Security Services encompassing: needs assessments and referrals, creation of an energy security plan, enrollment in affordable payment plans with Consumers, DTE, SEMCO and UPPCO, budgeting services, energy conservation services, short and long-term case management and weatherization referrals.

Households that are Low-Income Home Assistance Program (LIHEAP/SER) eligible or at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will also be eligible for Department of Energy Home Energy Scores or comprehensive assessments for the Michigan Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) program which can lead up to $34,000 in energy services. These programs are unique only to the Superior Watershed Partnership MEAP Grantee.

Refer to the chart to see if your household may be eligible for MEAP. Please note that these numbers are a modified net income as certain deductions may apply. Utilize the calculator tool below to more accurately calculate your household’s income.

Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) An assistance program that provides energy assistance and energy services to income-eligible households. Approved households may be eligible for energy education, Department of Energy Home Energy Assessments, direct heat and electric payments, deliverable fuel deliveries, and/or enrollment in affordable payment plans.

MEAP funding is administered by the Michigan Public Service Commission and MDHHS.

Reside in the Upper Peninsula or Northern Michigan 15 counties located in the UP: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, Houghton, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft and 9 counties in Northern Michigan: Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Leelanau, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle SER approved or household income at or below 60% SMI verified by SWP Utility bill can be current.

You do not have to wait for a past due or shut-off notice to be eligible. Deliverable fuels must be at or below 30% of capacity. SER approved with household income at or below 150% FPL verified by MDHHS.

Utility bill must show past due charges. This is required for the State Emergency Relief crisis program. Deliverable fuels must be at or below 25% capacity.

Electric and heat energy assistance Energy-security services including Energy Education, Department of Energy Home Energy Assessments, Snugg Pro Audits for the Michigan Home Energy Rebates Program, Utility EWR Referrals, Residential Solar LIHEAP/State Emergency Relief (LIHEAP/SER) The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program provides financial assistance to Michigan residents facing extreme hardship or emergencies that threaten health and safety.

LIHEAP is a part of the SER program and consists of federal funds for crisis assistance for energy-related services such as heating and electricity. SER eligible with household income at or below 150% FPL verified by MDHHS. Utility bill must show past due charges.

Deliverable fuels must be at or below 25% capacity. Electric and heat energy assistance Determine Your Energy Assistance Eligibility! Energy Assistance Program Eligibility Calculator Use this calculation tool to determine your estimated household State Median Income and the assistance programs you may be eligible for.

Income over the past 30 days for all household members. Total Gross Earned Income: Total Gross Unearned Income: Total amount paid over the past 30 days. Total number of people living in your household.

Number of Household Members: Calculate Your Eligibility *Our calculator will estimate what assistance programs you may be eligible for. SWP will determine your actual eligibility if you apply. View Your Eligibility Results Please use the tool above to calculate your eligibility for our energy assistance programs.

Your calculated net monthly income minus any deductions: . Your calculated Area Median Income (AMI) percentage: .

Based on the results, you may qualify for the following Assistance Programs: Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Learn How to Apply for MEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Emergency Relief (LIHEAP/SER) Learn How to Apply for LIHEAP/SER Sorry, you're not eligible for any of the assistance programs at this time.

Review Your Potential Level of Assistance Apply For An Assistance Program Apply for LIHEAP/SER Program MEAP Program Application Process 1.

If your household income is at or below 60% State Median Income (SMI), you may be eligible for MEAP If your household income is at or below 150% FPL, applying for State Emergency Relief (SER) through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) may be to your benefit, as you may receive more assistance. See LIHEAP/SER Program tab for more information. 2.

Confirm that your household size and income fall within program limits Check the SWP Income Calculator or chart above 3. Complete our program application Our program serves all 15 U. P.

Michigan counties and nine Northern Michigan counties: Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmett, Leelanau, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle. If you are in any other county, please contact 211 to find a MEAP Grantee near you! Fill out our Application each time you need assistance!

Don't forget to attach your itimized utility bill, quote and other proofs. We can help with your first request but you will need to create an Energy Security Plan for any additional requests. Fill out our Pre-Needs Assessment to get ahead of your next request or for eligibility of Affordable Payment Plan enrollment.

4. Energy Assistance Payments The MEAP household cap per grant term is $2,500 Once your eligibility is verified, the SWP can assist with your heat and electric utilities You can enroll in the Consumers CARE , DTE LSP , SEMCO MAP & UPPCO EASE Affordable Payment Plans 5.

Energy Security Services for households under 150% FPL You may be eligible for a Department of Energy Home Energy Score You may be eligible for a Snugg Pro Audit through the MI Home Energy Rebates program You may be eligible for utility Energy Waste Reduction referrals You may be eligible for residential solar installation 6.

Request Additional Assistance Once you are income verified, we will let you know which path you must take for additional energy requests. You will either fill out the Application or the Assistance Request Form. You will receive one assist through MEAP after completing our initial application.

However, you will need to complete our Needs Assessment and Energy Security Plan before receiving additional assistance or enrollment into an Affordable Payment Plan. Apply for LIHEAP/SER Program LIHEAP/SER Application Process If your household income is at or below 150% FPL, you may be eligible for LIHEAP/SER.

Benefits to applying for LIHEAP/SER: Your household will benefit from applying for LIHEAP/SER as you may be eligible for up to $500 in natural gas, non-heat electric, and wood, and up to $800 in electric heat, propane, and fuel oil. Households may apply to LIHEAP/SER up to their cap and can then apply with a MEAP Grantee (SWP) if they need additional assistance or help with a LIHEAP/SER co-pay.

Households approved by LIHEAP/SER will only need to fill out the MEAP application one time and then only need to fill out the assistance request form for subsequent assistance. 1.

Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) for heat and/or electric Apply on MI Bridges or pick up a paper application at your local MDHHS office Make sure you have a bill showing past due charges (LIHEAP/SER only) or you have 30% or less fuel capacity If you need assistance filling out the application, click link PARTNERS TO ASSIST WITH PAPERWORK or visit our office in Marquette.

2. You will receive an SER determination letter The SWP can help with SER co-pays after our requirements are complete 3. Complete our program application Complete our Application each time you apply!

Don't forget to attach your itimized utility bill, quote and other proofs. Complete our pre-needs assessment to be eligible for more than one request or enrollment into an affordable payment plan. 4.

MEAP Energy Assistance Payments The MEAP household cap per grant term is $2,500 Once your eligibility is verified, the SWP can assist with your heat and electric utilities You can enroll in the Consumers CARE, DTE LSP , SEMCO MAP & UPPCO EASE Affordable Payment Plans You may be eligible for a Department of Energy Home Energy Score You may be eligible for a Snugg Pro Audit through the MI Home Energy Rebates program You may be eligible for utility Energy Waste Reduction referrals You may be eligible for residential solar installation 5.

Request Additional Assistance Once you are income verified, we will let you know which path you must take for additional energy requests. You will either fill out the Application or the Assistance Request Form each time you apply. A caseworker will provide instructions.

You will receive one assist through MEAP after completing our initial application. However, you will need to complete our Needs Assessment and Energy Security Plan before receiving additional assistance or enrollment into an Affordable Payment Plan. If you are denied for LIHEAP/SER, you may still be eligible for MEAP assistance.

Contact the SWP Energy Office at 906-273-2742 for more information. Still have questions? Call us at 906-273-2742 or visit the State of Michigan website for more information on MEAP.