We offer several programs to assist our customers with paying their energy bills.

Please contact us at 800.477.4747 BEFORE your service is subject to shutoff. We will work with you to set up a payment plan or advise you of assistance agencies in your area.

* Seniors 62 years of age or older qualify for this program regardless of income

How do I know if I qualify as a low income customer?

2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines

*Based on 150 percent of poverty level set by U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
**Based on 200 percent of poverty level set by U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
*** Add $5,610 for each additional household member.
****Add $7,480 for each additional household member.
*****Add 4,114 for each additional household member.

Programs offered to all DTE Energy customers

United Way 211 

Call 211 to receive information from United Way about available assistance services and resources, such as utility or rent payment assistance, child and elder care, emergency shelters, job training, counseling, etc.  For cell phone users or land lines without 211 capabilities, call United Way at 800.552.1183.

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Credit Counseling

DTE Energy works with GreenPath, a non-profit consumer credit counseling service, to help customers develop a budget that will help them manage their money. This credit counseling service is available to all residential customers, regardless of income, with arrears greater than $300.  A monthly budget plan spreads out your future bills over a specified period (usually not to exceed 24 months). 

For more information call DTE Energy’s dedicated line to (GreenPath) at 888.235.1003. Office hours are: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Double-Notice Protection Plan

Allow us to send a duplicate shut-off notice to a consenting friend, relative or agency. The designated friend, relative or agency is not responsible for paying the overdue bill; the duplicate notice simply alerts them to take some action on your behalf. This plan is helpful when an unexpected event, such as an extended vacation or a long hospital stay, may keep you from paying your bill on time. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

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Medical Emergencies

Shut off of an account may be postponed for up to 21 days due to a medical emergency. Written proof from a physician or medical health official with condition of illness stating the service interruption will aggravate an existing medical emergency or become immediately life-threatening must be provided. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

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Shut Off Protection Plan

This plan is available to all residential customers regardless of income, and provides year-round protection from shut off. This monthly budget plan spreads out your future bills over 12 equal monthly payments plus equal monthly payments on your unpaid balance with an initial down payment of 10 percent of your total bill. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

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Shut off Protection: Active Military

If you or your spouse is called to full-time active military service during a time of declared national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shut-off protection for up to 90 days. You may request extensions of this protection by re-applying. You must provide verification of active duty status. At the end of active duty, you must notify us of your status. You will still be required to pay for the energy service used during your participation in this program. We will enroll you in a payment plan for all past due amounts to be paid within one year. Call 800.477.4747 for more information.

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Programs offered to DTE Energy low income customers

Case Management

We have a team of specialists available to help low-income customers reduce their unpaid balances by providing a personal payment plan, agency referrals and follow-up. To be eligible for enrollment you must meet the following requirements:

• An unpaid balance greater than $750
• No illegal usage
• Household income at or below that stated in the 2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart

Call 800.545.8046 for more information.

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Earned Income Credit

This credit is available based on the income level and number of qualifying child dependents. To apply for the credit, you must file a federal income tax return with Schedule EIC. You can receive an advance cash payment through your employer or apply for the credit at tax time. Please contact a tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to apply.

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Home Heating Credit E-Filing

Eligible customers may receive funds from the Michigan Department of Treasury to apply toward their heating bills. To qualify, you must meet the 2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Special exemptions may be available to customers 65 and older and to people with disabilities. Department of Human Services recipients and people who receive other public assistance may also be eligible for the Home Heating Credit if they owned or rented a home or apartment during the winter. You must have your household income information, birth date and Social Security numbers for yourself and your dependents available when applying.

How to File

Option 1

1. 1. Obtain forms from: 
      • Your tax preparer or wherever other tax forms are provided 
      • Any Michigan Department of Treasury office
      • Michigan Secretary of State branch offices
      •  Public Libraries
      • Michigan Department of Human Services offices
      • DTE Energy Customer offices
   2. Request your total heating costs from November 1, 2008 to October 31, 2009. If you are a registered user of dteenergy.com, you may view your Heating Cost Report online. Your heating cost may also be printed on your DTE Energy bill stated for the months of December, 2009 through April, 2010.
   3. File your Home Heating Credit claim as soon as you know your annual household income. The deadline for filing is September 30, 2010. You do not need to file an income tax return to qualify for this program.

Option 2

Seek assistance from a tax preparer, additionally the following organizations assist low- income individuals and families with filing their income taxes, including the home heating credit:

• Accounting Aid Society
• AARP
• Wayne-Metro Community Action Agency

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Low-Income Weatherization

Assistance with home weatherization may be available to those who meet guidelines listed on the 2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart. Weatherization includes caulking, weatherstripping, and insulation. More information on the weatherization program is available at the Michigan Department of Treasury Web site at michigan.gov/heatingassistance. Please contact your local Community Action Agency, or United Way (call 211), to apply.

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THAW - The Heat and Warmth Fund

Customers who meet the guidelines from the 2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart, are in shut-off status, and have exhausted all federal and state funding programs may be eligible for assistance. The program begins October 15, 2008 for customers who receive a shut-off notice. For assistance, contact one of the following THAW Fund administrators.

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State Emergency Relief Program (SER)

Eligible low-income households may receive help paying energy bills year-round through the State Emergency Relief program. Contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office or call the Energy Assistance Hotline, 800.292.5650 You do not have to be a DHS client to apply.

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Winter Protection Plan (WPP)

This program protects seniors and low-income customers from shutoff between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payment will increase to cover winter bills.

To enroll, customers should call us at 800.477.4747 between November 1 and March 31, and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Age 62 or older
• Receive Department of Human Services (DHS) cash assistance
• Receive food stamps
• Receive Medicaid
• Household income at or below that stated in the 2009 Household Income Eligibility Guidelines chart

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