There have been many changes made to the State of Michigan procedures and requirements for requesting heating assistance. In the past we had several agencies that handled heating (MEAP) assistance such as DHS, Community Action, and Superior Watershed.
Note: Your request now starts with DHS Office
The state has changed its procedures this year making all Assistance requests begin with the DHS offices throughout the state. You can either physically visit your county branch or log in via the internet to https://newmibridges.michigan.gov
If you do your initial application online you can select a Navigation Partner when you submit the application. The Navigation Partner can help if you if you need further help in the DHS process.
What to do if you are denied…
The state is strictly enforcing assets you own which work against you receiving assistance for heat. If you are denied based on Assets or Income, you should then call 211 or go to mi211.org for additional information regarding possible help for you.
If you are denied due to lack of required payments (shortfall) or contribution copays, you can contact an Access Partner for further assistance with your case.
The Autore Oil service area Access Partners are:
- Superior Watershed Partnership
- 906-273-2742
- Community Action
- For Chippewa County: 906-632-3363
- For Mackinac County: 906-643-8595
- Salvation Army
- 906-632-6521
You cannot work with an access partner unless you have already applied with the DHS agency.
Any of the Access Partners can help answer questions as we have been informed some clients are not receiving detailed information on how to navigate through the new process. We recommend the Superior Watershed Partnership for help with anything you need. They have been easily accessible and very helpful with our questions as well.
We are now partnered with the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF). There is funding available for customers to get assistance!
The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP) to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after January 21, 2020 or for those homeowners who experience a coronavirus pandemic financial hardship that began before January 21, 2020 but continued after that date.
Who Is Eligible?
- Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence
- Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020
Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household to Pay:
- Delinquent mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages
- Delinquent land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments
- Delinquent property taxes
- Delinquent condominium/homeowners’ association fees
- Delinquent homeowner’s insurance,
- Delinquent utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer
- Delinquent internet broadband services
