Help When You Need It Most.

TrueNorth Community Services' emPower™ heat and energy program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels bills in Michigan, helping them to become self-sufficient.

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“You made my day.
I've been so stressed about this!”

Grand Rapids, Michigan

“I don't know what I would do
without you guys.”

Westland, Michigan

“Because my husband is in line
for a kidney transplant and I take care
of him, all our bills got behind.
I didn’t know agencies existed like you.”

Alanson, Michigan

“You have no idea how much this helps!
This is life changing!”

Fowlerville, Michigan

“Oh my gosh!
You don't know how badly I needed this.”

Chippewa, Michigan

“I'm going to cry. You did a miracle!”

Hillsdale, Michigan

“It's truly a blessing for my family.”

Belding, Michigan

“I can’t even begin to tell you all how grateful and appreciative that I am that you all are able to help me during our time in need. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Benzonia, Michigan

“I so appreciate what you have done. Your assistance has allowed me to move into my residence and is a great Mother's Day gift.”

Fremont, Michigan

“This has been a blessing for me and my family. You guys are amazing.”

Newaygo, Michigan

“Your agency is a blessing. ...
So thankful for the resources you offer.”

Lansing, Michigan

“Thank you for helping our family this year
with our electric bill balance.
We worked hard at lowering usage
and will be on a budget plan.”

Madison Heights, Michigan

For 2018-2019, emPower™ provided 11,405 households with direct assistance payments. We also enrolled 9,201 households into Consumers Energy’s CARE Program and 2,654 into DTE Energy’s LSP Program.

emPower™ served households in all 83 Michigan counties in 2018-2019. More than $10.7 million in direct-assistance payments were made through emPower to 185 utility and energy providers in Michigan.

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WHAT'S NEW

We are not currently accepting applications to assist with one-time help on past-due heat and energy bills. We have also reached capacity for enrollments in affordable payment plans. However, we are accepting applications for our Self-Sufficiency Services; you can apply at https://tnempower.org/self-sufficiency/. Please contact Michigan 211 by phone at 2-1-1 or online at https://www.mi211.org/ to find other heat and energy assistance.

Please stay safe, stay healthy, practice social distancing, and let's flatten the curve. As our community responds to the COVID-19 outbreak, emPower, a TrueNorth community service, remains committed to our mission knowing that our most vulnerable community members are deeply and disproportionately affected by crises such as this. All our heat and energy programs continue. To see TrueNorth's Our response to COVID-19, visit https://www.truenorthservices.org/coronavirus.

Eligible state residents having trouble paying their energy bills during the COVID-19 pandemic are having payments made to their utility accounts by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to keep services connected. The payments to utility companies, which equal more than $7 million for 17,937 households that have past-due accounts, will help energy customers keep services that may otherwise be disconnected once suspension of shutoffs ends on June 12. MDHHS is issuing COVID-19-related Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) direct support payments to utility accounts of eligible customers of Michigan’s three largest utility providers – Consumers Energy, DTE and SEMCO Energy. Those customers will see the direct support payments reflected on utility bills. The average household will receive $395, with the funds coming from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars awarded to Michigan.

It’s critical that all Michiganders complete the 2020 Census. Nearly $30 billion in funding for vital programs is at stake. Your voice counts because when everyone counts, everyone wins. Make sure to fill out your 2020 Census online at https://my2020census.gov/. You can also mail in your census or call (844) 330-2020.

emPower works with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide self-sufficiency services and assist with past-due heat and energy bills for the 2019-2020 grant year. You can also find heat and energy assistance through Michigan 2-1-1 by calling 211 or visiting www.mi211.org; or by visiting Michigan Propane Gas Association's website at https://heatingmyhome.org.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reminds Michigan residents they can apply for emergency energy assistance online at www.michigan.gov/mibridges or with paper applications available at MDHHS offices for the 2019-2020 grant year. Online help is available from navigators at MDHHS offices and private agencies like emPower that assist with energy aid. Assistance is available through State Emergency Relief (SER) and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).