Consumers Energy Provides $3 Million to Help Michigan Residents with Energy Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy has announced a new $3 million initiative to aid Michigan residents struggling with energy bills, bringing total assistance during the pandemic to $21 million. This funding will support seven local nonprofits, expected to benefit thousands of households facing financial hardship. Additionally, the company has previously allocated $12 million to assist over 40,000 households and small businesses, along with other community support initiatives. Consumers Energy remains committed to keeping energy costs low for its customers.

Positive

• Total assistance during the pandemic now amounts to $21 million.
• $3 million will support seven Michigan nonprofits, aiding thousands of households.
• Previously, $12 million helped over 40,000 households and small businesses.

Negative

• None.

JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is helping Michigan residents through the cold winter by announcing an additional $3 million to help with energy bills. In total, the company and its charitable foundation have provided $21 million to support customers and communities with needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are committed to making sure our friends and neighbors receive every bit of help during this extraordinary time," said Brian Rich, Consumers Energy's chief customer officer. "We expect our new $3 million contribution to seven Michigan nonprofits will help thousands of households continue to manage their bills while more Michiganders receive vaccinations and our state starts to fully reopen."

Consumers Energy has taken extra steps to meet customers' needs due to the pandemic. Customers can qualify for the new funding if they are at up to 400% of federal poverty guidelines.

The new assistance is provided through seven Michigan nonprofit organizations:

• United Way of Jackson County -- $925,000
• TrueNorth Community Services -- $925,000
• The Salvation Army -- $675,000
• Michigan Veterans Trust Fund -- $150,000
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan -- $145,000
• The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) -- $95,000
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul -- $85,000

The best way for people to get help, including the new financial assistance Consumers Energy is announcing, is to call 2-1-1, a free service that connects people with nonprofit agencies in their communities. If a Consumers Energy customer is struggling to pay a bill, they also can call 800-477-5050.

The new $3 million contribution is the latest way Consumers Energy has worked to help customers and communities since the pandemic started. Other examples:

• $12 million that helped over 40,000 households and small businesses with energy bills
• $5.4 million from the company's charitable foundation for Michigan nonprofits, including nearly $2.5 million to support small businesses.
• $850,000 in matching gift cards for shopping at local businesses across Michigan.

Consumers Energy also works to keep energy costs low for customers. Customers should pay 20% less for natural gas this year compared to a decade ago, or less than $2.30 per day.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy  
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy  

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-provides-3-million-to-help-michigan-residents-with-energy-bills-301213546.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is the recent assistance program announced by CMS Energy?

CMS Energy's Consumers Energy announced a $3 million initiative to help Michigan residents with energy bills, bringing total assistance to $21 million.

How will Consumers Energy's $3 million be distributed?

The $3 million will be allocated to seven nonprofit organizations in Michigan to aid households with energy bills.

How much has Consumers Energy contributed during the pandemic?

Consumers Energy has contributed a total of $21 million in assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the financial eligibility for Consumers Energy's new funding?

Customers can qualify for funding if their household income is up to 400% of federal poverty guidelines.

How can Michigan residents access help from Consumers Energy?

Residents can call 2-1-1 for assistance or call 800-477-5050 if they are struggling to pay their energy bills.