Consumers Energy assistance policies and programs during COVID-19

If the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made it challenging to meet basic businesses expenses such as rent, payroll or utility bills. Small business customers can call 800-805-0490 to get assistance with their energy bills and to learn about additional short-term resources. View a quick reference sheet from Consumers Energy on how they can help and other useful resources.

*Published 3/19/20

A statement from Consumers Energy:

Consumers Energy is committed to the health and safety of our co-workers, customers and communities. The COVID-19 virus has created unprecedented circumstances around the world, and we have a responsibility to help slow the spread of this illness.

Recognizing that many of our customers are in a position where they are unable to work, we are suspending shutoffs for non-pay for low-income and senior customers beginning March 16, 2020, through April 5, 2020.These time-frames could be adjusted depending on the spread and severity of the virus.

• Low-income customers are defined as having a family income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Senior citizens are customers ages 65 and older.

Senior citizens and qualified low-income customers already enrolled in our Winter Protection Program have already had their end dates extended through May 3, 2020, without any additional actions required on their part. This ensures our most vulnerable customers have the services they need during this state of emergency. All shut-off notices will be withheld to prevent any additional stress for these customers.

We will work with customers who have concerns about their ability to pay their energy bills at this time. We have empowered our customer service representatives to make arrangements for customers on a case by case basis who reach out to us, including flexible payment arrangements.

We have empowered our CSRs to make arrangements for those in need including flexible payment arrangement and are waiving fees as appropriate. We will continue to assess the situation and make the appropriate decisions for our customers as the situation evolves.

Delaying shutoffs for our qualified low-income and senior citizen customers is a great step to ensuring that there is no service interruption during this challenging time of COVID-19. To be clear, customers will continue to accrue energy usage charges as they normally would. If customers are concerned, we have flexible payment options that they can enroll in by either going online or contacting us.

Visit the Consumers Energy website for more information.