A Payment Agreement allows customers to use an installment plan to bring their account up-to-date. Payment Agreements require a down payment, with the remaining balance to be paid in monthly installments. You must agree to pay the monthly installment plus your current charges (the amount shown on your bill for the most recent billing cycle) on the same date your current bill is due. To enroll in a payment agreement, or to cancel a current agreement, see the Payment Agreement Web page.  You'll find it on under the Payment Programs section of the Billing/Payment tab.

The Winter Protection Plan 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 15 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
• Household income at or below that stated in the Household Income Eligibility Guidelines

Eligible customers may receive funds from the Michigan Department of Treasury to apply toward their heating bills. To qualify, you must meet the 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, birthdates and Social Security numbers for yourself and your dependents available when applying. Find detailed filing instructions and deadline dates on our Payment Assistance Web page, found in the Payment Programs section of the Billing/Payment tab.

Customers who meet the Household Income Eligibility Guidelines, are in shut-off status, and have exhausted all federal and state funding programs may be eligible for assistance. Find program administrator information and eligibility dates on our Payment Assistance Web page.

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.

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. Contact us for more information.