NEED A HELPING HAND?

The expanded child tax credit expired on December 31 after Congress failed to renew it as part of President Biden's Build Back Better Act. Monthly payments began going out to roughly 35 million American families over the summer to help meet household needs during the pandemic. The expanded child tax credit program was part of Biden's American Rescue Plan which was passed in March, however, if Congress fails to renew the program it reverts back to a smaller payment in the form of a yearly tax credit. Thousands of Michigan families relied on the monthly child tax credit payments to help with groceries and utilities. All is not hopeless, however. Read on to find some assistance programs available to Michigan residents to help with heating and energy expenses.

Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service supported by the United Way which connects Michigan residents with help from thousands of health and human service agencies. Michigan 2-1-1 can help find food, shelter, childcare, and healthcare, to name a few. Calls are confidential and are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 211 or call 844-875-9211. Also go their website at http://www.mi211.org.

State Emergency Relief (SER) is a year-round program to assist qualified households with past due heat and/or electric bills, shut-off notices or need for deliverable fuel. SER can be accessed by dialing 211.

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund provides temporary assistance to eligible veterans and their families for emergencies or hardships, including energy assistance. Visit http://www.michiganveterans.com or call 1-800-642-4838.

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent non-profit aimed at helping households who must choose between paying for energy or another vital household necessity. To find out more call 800-866-THAW (8429).

Wayne County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utility bills. The program is open to all communities in Wayne County. Eligibility requirements must be met. Find out more at http://www.waynecounty.com/rentalassistance.

Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency is offering free home weatherization for eligible residents. Weatherization projects include attic insulation, wall insulation, sealing for doors and windows, and furnace tune up or replacement, to name a few. Downriver residents can find out more by calling 734-362-7027. Residents of western Wayne County can call 313-388-9799 to find out more.

If you are a customer of Consumers Energy, they have additional programs available to their customers.

Medical Emergency Protection Plan is for households with a member who has a documented medical emergency or requires home medical equipment or life support. The program protects from shut-off for up to 21 days with the possibility of an extension. Medical emergency protection must be certified by a physician or public health official. Find out more at http://www.consumersenergy.com/lifesupport.

Consumers Energy's Winter Protection Plan is available to those customers 65 and older and qualifying customers to guard against shut-off during winter months. An initial down payment is required and from November through March, customers will pay only 7 percent of their estimated annual bill. The previous months' bills are reconciled each April. To find out more call 800-477-5050.