MichCon, Agencies Have Programs to Prevent Gas Shutoffs
February 27 2008 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Utility warns of danger of illegal hookups DETROIT, Feb. 27
/PRNewswire/ -- Cold weather and an economic downturn have many
people struggling to pay their heating bills this winter. DTE
Energy cautions anyone having difficulty paying that tampering with
their natural gas service is a dangerous practice that's also
illegal. Hooking gas lines to homes in a makeshift manner can
result in fires, explosions, injuries and even fatalities. "We want
to make sure our customers know we are committed to assisting them
to keep their homes warm this winter," said Joyce Hayes-Giles, DTE
Energy senior vice president, Customer Service. "We can enroll
customers in one of our many payment assistance programs or help
customers find financial assistance. But tampering with natural gas
service is not the answer." If you suspect utility tampering, call
(800) 441-6698. Reports can be made anonymously and are kept
confidential. Hayes-Giles also said customers should contact
MichCon as soon as they think they may have a problem paying their
utility bills this winter. DTE Energy's BudgetWise Billing program
can help customers better manage their heating costs by averaging
monthly energy payments throughout the year. By knowing what to
expect to pay each month for gas and electricity, customers can
budget without the impact of seasonal ups and downs of energy
costs. DTE Energy also has a team of specialists who can assist
low-income customers by providing individual payment plans, agency
referrals and follow up. Customers who anticipate having trouble
paying their energy bills this winter are encouraged to contact DTE
Energy at (800) 545-8046. The company also has partnered with
churches and agencies to help customers this winter. A new program
for Detroit residents is the Community Energy Solutions Project,
which involves four churches - Second Ebenezer, St. Cecilia, New
Galilee and Fellowship Chapel. The churches serve as centers to
provide customers with information about energy efficiency and
conservation. A DTE Energy case manager, a representative from The
Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a credit and budget counselor, and a
tax preparer will be at each church to provide assistance. Hours
for centers are: -- New Galilee - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and
Thursdays. -- Fellowship Chapel - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and
Wednesdays, starting in March. -- Second Ebenezer - 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. -- St. Cecilia -
3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Service is by appointment
only and no bill payments are accepted at the centers. To schedule
an appointment, call toll-free (866) 554-2653. Another program, the
Osborn Energy Savers Initiative, is a collaboration of DTE Energy,
the Skillman Foundation Good Neighborhoods Initiative and THAW. The
program is designed to promote energy conservation and cost savings
through a series of workshops and home energy consultations.
Participants receive products to weatherize their homes, home
energy audits, credit on their DTE Energy bill and access to energy
education resources. More than 400 people and 100 households in the
Osborn Community on Detroit's eastside already have reduced their
energy usage by participating in the program. The Osborn community
is bounded by Six Mile to Eight Mile roads and Van Dyke to Gratiot.
Workshops are conducted for residents in the Osborn neighborhood
Saturdays through April 5. To enroll or for more information,
Osborn residents can call (313) 893-9470 or e-mail . In addition,
DTE Energy offers the following programs to qualified low- income
and senior customers: Winter Protection Plan The Winter Protection
Plan protects qualified seniors and low-income customers from
service shut-off due to non-payment until March 31. While enrolled
in this program, customers must pay a portion of their estimated
annual bill, plus regular payments on any past due bills. Customers
wishing to enroll in this program must meet eligibility
requirements. For more information customers can call (800)
477-4747. Shut-Off Protection Plan The Shut-Off Protection Plan
provides year-round protection from shut-off and is available to
all residential customers regardless of income. Enrollment requires
an initial down payment of 10 percent of a customer's total bill. A
monthly budget plan then spreads the customer's future bills and
remaining balance into 12 equal monthly payments. More information
is available by calling (800) 477-4747. Double Notice Protection An
additional safeguard provided by MichCon and Detroit Edison is the
Double Notice Protection plan. Customers may identify a friend or
relative to receive a copy of any overdue or shut-off notice. The
backup helps protect against service shut-off in the event that a
customer is ill, out of town or otherwise unable to receive utility
shut-off notices. Medical Emergencies If a medical emergency
exists, the utilities will not shut off service for up to 21 days
if customers obtain verification from their doctor or a public
health agency. Active Military Duty Customers called to full-time
active military service during a time of declared national or state
emergency or war may apply for shut-off protection for up to 90
days and may request extensions of this protection by re- applying.
More information is available by calling (800) 477-4747. Home
Heating Credit E-filing Eligible customers may receive funds from
the state of Michigan to apply toward their heating bill. To
qualify, a customer must meet the Home Heating Credit income
guidelines. DTE Energy will help customers file for the credit
until Sept. 26, 2008. For assistance, call (800) 411-4348. State
Emergency Relief Program and Energy Direct Eligible low-income
households may receive help paying energy bills year round through
the Department of Human Services (DHS). Customers currently
receiving assistance from DHS - and whose energy service is subject
to shut- off - may automatically qualify for the Energy Direct
program. This program protects against service shut-off and places
the account on a budget plan. For more information, customers
should call their local DHS office or the Energy Assistance Hotline
at (800) 292-5650. Other programs available to DTE Energy customers
are: 2-1-1 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that
connects callers to information about critical health and human
services available in their community. Low-Income Weatherization
Assistance with home weatherization may be available to those who
meet eligibility guidelines through the Community Action Agency. To
apply, customers need to contact their local Community Action
Agency or the United Way. Earned Income Credit This credit is
available based on the income level and number of qualifying child
dependents. To be eligible for this credit, customers must file a
federal income tax return with Schedule EIC and apply for the
credit through the Internal Revenue Service. THAW When qualified
low-income customers have exhausted other public and private
community resources, THAW, a nonprofit organization offering energy
payment assistance, may provide last-resort energy assistance. For
assistance, call (800) 866-THAW (8429). Salvation Army DTE Energy
and the Salvation Army have partnered to assist customers with high
arrears. Customers can call 2-1-1 or (800) 552-1183 for eligibility
guidelines and locations. GreenPath Credit Counseling DTE Energy
works with this non-profit consumer credit counseling service to
help customers obtain a budget plan that will help them manage
their money. Call toll-free, (888) 235-1003. For more information
on these programs as well as home energy-saving tips, visit
http://my.dteenergy.com/paymentOptions/assistance.html DATASOURCE:
MichCon CONTACT: Scott Simons, +1-313-235-8808, or Lorie Kessler,
+1-313-235-8807, both of MichCon Web site:
http://www.dteenergy.com/
http://my.dteenergy.com/paymentOptions/assistance.html
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