As one of its Special Works, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Detroit (SVdP) has been providing energy assistance to those living in poverty, senior citizens, and others who may be in danger of having their heating services discontinued throughout southeast Michigan.  By partnering with the Michigan Public Service Commission since 2006, the Society has been able to extend help with utility bills to over 2500 underprivileged households.  Annually, SVdP provides over $1 million in energy assistance to families in need.  This year, SVdP has received the Vulnerable Household Warmth Fund (VHWF) grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to help vulnerable families from nineteen counties in Michigan keep up with utility payments this winter.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for assistance through St. Vincent de Paul's VHWF grant, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a shutoff notice from your utility provider or a notice from your fuel distributor that no further deliveries will be made due to nonpayment of prior bills.

• Your total household income is less than 60% of the Estimated State Median income (see table) OR you receive one of the following: food stamps, SER or Medicaid.

• Your utility bill is between $250 and $2500.

• You have a valid MI license or state ID that matches your current address.

• The name and address on utility bill matches the name and address on ID.

• You have not received utility assistance from another agency (other than DHS) in the past 12 months.

• You have made payments in the last six months totaling $225 for a single utility or $450 for a combined gas/electric account.

If you meet these requirements, please call 313-393-2930 to apply for assistance.

Note:  Eligible utilities include electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil and wood.  Water bills are not eligible.


Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm Fighting to Retain Adequate Energy Assistance Funding

The Obama administration has proposed reducing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) to about half of its authorized level of $5.1 billion, which will have a devastating impact on Michigan.

Roughly 1.2 million Michigan households are eligible for energy assistance. Even when the program was fully funded, only about half of Michigan's eligible households actually received help. If funding for the program is cut in half, it's projected that only about 25% of Michigan eligible households will receive help.

The Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, which was formed in 1987, has been re-energized to ensure that Michigan receives adequate federal funding for energy assistance initiatives including The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), the State Emergency Relief (SER) program, the Home Heating Credit and home weatherization.

You and Your Money

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