JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- As Michigan shivers through
another arctic blast, Consumers Energy is alerting qualifying residents
that state and federal programs are available to help pay heating bills.
"Qualifying Michigan residents can get help paying their heating bills
through a Michigan Home Heating Credit and a federal Earned Income Credit,"
said Debra Harmon, Consumers Energy's corporate customer assistance
advocacy manager. Information on how to apply for both credits is being
provided with bills that Consumers Energy customers receive in February.
Information is also available at Consumers Energy's "Energy Answers"
section on its website: http://www.consumersenergy.com.
"There is money available in the Michigan Home Heating Credit program
to assist low-income residents with their energy bills. Unfortunately, many
of those eligible do not take advantage of this program," said Harmon.
Eligible applicants can get up to $200 or more for their winter energy
bills through the Home Heating Credit program. You do not need to file a
state tax return to apply for this credit.
Home Heating Credit forms (MI-1040CR-7) are available at the following
locations: most public libraries, Secretary of State branch offices,
Department of Human Services branch offices, or by calling Consumers
Energy's toll-free number, (800) 477-5050. Forms are also available from
the Michigan Department of Treasury by calling (800) 367-6263 or at
http://www.michigan.gov/treasury.
Last year, more than 378,000 Michigan residents received $77 million in
aid through the Home Heating Credit program, which is funded by the federal
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The Home Heating Credit can be
applied to all heating costs, including propane and purchased firewood. The
deadline to file is Sept. 30, 2008, but residents are encouraged to file
now for the credit.
The federal Earned Income Credit is a refundable federal income tax
credit available to qualifying low-income workers. For income guidelines,
contact your employer, call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676,
or visit http://www.irs.gov.
The Michigan Department of Treasury offers help in filling out the
forms; information on that service is available by calling (800) 827-4000.
In addition, the Accounting Aid Society is again partnering with Consumers
Energy to conduct Tax Workshops to assist low-income residents in southeast
Michigan. The workshops include help in filing Home Heating Credit
applications. The workshops are held on Saturdays through April 5 from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. at Consumers Energy's service centers in Pontiac and Royal
Oak.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides
natural gas and electricity to almost 6.5 million of the state's nearly 10
million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at
http://www.consumersenergy.com.
SOURCE Consumers Energy
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Related links:
http://www.consumersenergy.com
http://www.michigan.gov/treasury
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html /
CONTACT:
Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394, or Dan
Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both for Consumers Energy
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