A customer or the spouse of a customer on active duty with the military may apply for shut-off protection for electric and natural gas service. To qualify, the customer must:

• Be a customer of an electric or natural gas company regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission;
• Be called to full-time active military service by the President of the United States or the Governor of Michigan during a time of declared national or state emergency or war;
• Need assistance to maintain residential electric and/or natural gas service; and
• Notify the utility company for the need for assistance and, if requested by the utility company, provide verification of the call to active duty status.

Shut-off protection can be provided for up to 90 days and the provider may extend the shut-off protection if the customer requests it. At the end of the active duty period, the customer must notify the utility company. Unless waived by the utility company, the customer will be required to pay the past due amounts. The utility company will set up a payment plan with minimum monthly payments for a period of up to one year. The utility company will also provide the customer with information on financial assistance programs and energy conservation information.

For more information contact your electric or gas utility.

For other assistant that may be available to Michigan Military Veterans and their families see:

• Emergency Grants
• Michigan National Guard Family Support Fund