The Michigan Public Service Commission today reminded eligible low-income, disabled and unemployed utility customers that utility shut-off protection is available through April 30, under the emergency rules in effect. 

"Recognizing that the severe winter temperatures and the economic downturn's have dramatically affected customers' expenses, the MPSC earlier this year acted to put in place emergency shutoff protections for residential customers of electric and natural gas utilities subject to the MPSC's jurisdiction," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "This means more people are eligible for shut-off protection for a longer period of time.  Normally, these protections expire on March 31.  The emergency rules extend these protections through the end of April - a full month more."

Under the emergency rules, utility shutoffs are prohibited when:

·         a customer is 65 years of age or older or has a physical or mental disability;

·         a customer's household income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and the customer pays the lesser of either of the following:

o        an amount equal to 7 percent of the customer's estimate annual bill

o        an amount equal to 7 percent of the customer's current monthly income

·         one or more adults in the customer's household is unemployed and one of the following conditions also applies:

o        the customer's current monthly household income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and the customer pays the lesser of an amount equal to 7 percent of the customer's estimated annual bill or 7 percent of the customer's current monthly household income

o        the customer enters the utility's equal monthly payment plan

o        the customer and the utility mutually agree to the payment of a specific amount.

After April 30, customers will be responsible for paying any arrearages.

Customers should contact their local utility to enroll in the shut-off prevention program.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.