PA95 Low Income Energy Assistance Fund

The Village of Paw Paw has joined the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with the State of Michigan. This is part of Public Act 95 (PA95).

What is PA 95:

Section 9t of Public Act 95 of 2013 (ACT95) created the low-income energy assistance fund (LIEAF) that is being mandated by the State of Michigan. Under PA 95, all electric providers within the State of Michigan are required to have funding available for low-income customers that are having difficulty paying for their electricity and heating. We are required to have funding available to pay for their electric bills, as well as having funding available for their heating costs such as natural gas, liquid propane, fuel oil, or electric heat. This program is overseen by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).

Who is eligible for assistance:

Eligibility is primarily based on income, which would be 60% of the State Median Income. The number of people living in the residence will also make a difference, one person living in a house will have a different financial threshold than a family of four living in a house.

How to get utility assistance:

Residential customers: If you have an urgent need for energy assistance, you can apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) in the following ways:

  • Online through MI BRIDGES at NewMiBridges.Michigan.Gov.
  • You can also pick up a paper application at your local MDHHS office, complete the application and return it to your local MDHHS office. Contact MHDDS at Michigan.Gov/MDHHS/Contact-MDHHS.
  • If you need help finding a community partner, call 2-1-1 or go to Mi211.org.
  • When requesting assistance, you will be asked several questions to verify that your household would qualify for this assistance.

How this program is funded:

This program is funded by electrical customers through their electric bills; this will be shown on your electric bill as “LIEAF Surcharge”. This fee is currently $1.25 monthly, and the program is mandated by the State of Michigan. It is important to note that under this program, utilities may shut off electric services for non-payment at any time of the year, so if you are low-income and having difficulty paying your energy bills, please reach out for help.

Tim Brandys
Director of Public Services
Village of Paw Paw
269-657-3169