Young man and his father

Energy and Emergency Relief

DTE Enery Payment Assistance Programs
Having trouble managing your bills? DTE Energy, along with government and private agencies, offers programs that help keep you warm in the winter.
 
Important - Contact DTE Energy at 800.477.4747 before your energy service is subject to shut off. If you are eligible for financial assistance, contact a social service agency prior to entering into a payment agreement because many agencies will not provide assistance if shut off is avoided. Notify us of your efforts to obtain payment assistance.

  • Case Management - DTE has 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 enroll, call 800.545.8046 if you meet these requirements: Unpaid balance greater than $750; No illegal usage; Household income at aor below 200 percent of Federal income eligibility guidelines.
  • Shut Off Protection Plan (SPP) - available to all residential customers regardless of income, and provides year-round protection from shut off. Call 800.477.4747. Requirements: Monthly budget plan that spreads out your future bills in 12 equal payments, plus equal monthly payments on your remaining balance.
  • Credit Counseling - DTE works with GreenPath, a non-profit consumer credit counseling service, which helps you develop a budget to manage your money. For more information, call 888.235.1003.
  • Winter Protection Plan (WPP) - The plan protects seniors and low-income customers from service shut off due to non-payment between Nov. 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a budget amount that consists of a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. For more information call, 800.477.4747

Other Available Programs:

  • Home Heating Credit (HHC) E-Filing Eligible customers my receive funds from the State of Michigan Treasury Department to apply toward their heating bills.
  • Low-Income Weatherization - Contact your local Community Action Agency or United Way at 211.
  • The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) - United Way 211 - cell phone users: 800.552.1183 or 800.866.8429
  • State Emergency Relief Program (SER) - available year-round to assist low-income households that have a shut-off notice. Call 800.292.5650
  • Medical Emergencies - Shut off of an account due to non-payment may be postponed up to 21 days due to a medical emergency. Call 800.477.4747 
  • Shut-Off Protection: Active duty in the Military - Call 800.477.4747
  • Double-Notice Protection Plan - 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.
  • Affordable Rental Housing - Customers may use the free Michigan Housing Locator.
  • Low Income Home Interest Loans - for more information or to see if you qualify, contact the Michigan State Housing Development Authority at www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on the Home Improvement link, or call 517.373.8017

See attached brochure (pdf) for more information and phone numbers for DTE and other energy assistance programs.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Complex Communication Needs
Disasters (natural or man-induced) and the humanitarian emergencies that arise thereafter are in the news almost daily. When there are no warnings or they are late, absent or unheeded, casualties can be enormous.

People with disabilities/activity limitations are particularly vulnerable. Often, there needs are not considered. Community-based entities need to plan and prepare in advance so the needs of all citizens are considered.

The Augmentative and Alternative Communications - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (AAC-RERC) web site (www.aac-rerc.com) and click on Disaster Prep) has resources for people with limited speech, emergency personnel and augmentative and alternative communications advocates.  For example, a checklist for people with limited speech is available as a PDF file at the web site and here.

The AAC community has a key role to play in ensuring that people with limited speech have access to communication during an emergency or disaster. While each situation is different and not everything can be anticipated, planning and preparations ALWAYS result in better outcomes.

The AAC community needs to help people with complex communication needs (CCN) and their families prepare AND we need to increase the awareness among policy makers and first responders (firemen, policemen, ambulance drivers, etc.). AAC Advocates need to spread the word about disaster preparedness and the needs of people with CCN at the local, regional and national and international level.