The electric bill can be a budget-buster when you’re surviving on a low income. Fortunately, your power company can usually help. There are several unknown or little-advertised programs that power companies may offer that can help lower the cost of your power bill.
Most power companies offer a budget billing plan, which averages the annual cost of electricity in a home and bills the customer in 12 even installments. This can help low-income customers maintain a budget and avert payment problems, especially during the more expensive winter months.
Some companies even offer free energy-efficiency improvements (including free LED light bulbs!) and moratoriums that prevent your power from being shut off during the winter.
Just click the link below to find out what discounts, rebates and other money-saving programs are offered by YOUR local utility company!
American Electric Power (AEP)
Are you an AEP customer? You might have options for paying your bill! Customers who qualify could get help with convenience fees when paying their bill and levelized billing. You might also qualify for help through community agencies that provide help to low-income electric customers. See everything we’ve found for AEP here.
CenterPoint Energy
Centerpoint Energy helps more than 5 million customers in 13 different states. They have complimentary home efficiency products and special state-specific programs to help you stay on top of your bill. Read about it here.
Consumers Energy
If you have Consumers Energy, you could get help through the Home Heating Credit. You might also qualify for help with Helping Neighbors. Seniors citizens, low-income customers and people with disabilities may all be able to get help with their Consumers Energy bill. You can learn more about the home heating credit and everything we’ve learned about Consumers Energy right here.
DTE Energy
Are you a DTE Energy customer? If so, you might qualify for help with your bills! You could use the flexible due date and Budgetwise billing program to get help making all your payments on time. You might also be able to get help with a bill credit by applying for it through DTE Energy. There are also community assistance programs available. See everything we’ve found for DTE Energy by clicking here.
Great Lakes Energy
Is your Great Lakes Energy bill killing your wallet? Help is available! We found ways for you to get help paying your bill, upgrading your home and saving money on rates. There are a variety of programs available to customers that might help them make the most out of their bills. Check this out to see everything we’ve found.
Just Energy
Do you have Just Energy as your electric rate supplier? You might be able to get help with your bill, lowering your rates and saving money on the bills. Just Energy customers could get a variety of savings just for having the company as their supplier. To learn more about Just Energy and everything we’ve found out about the company, click here!
Thumb Electric
You could get help with your Thumb Electric bill through the Share Shop or the Human Development Commission. Thumb Electric customers might also qualify for assistance through the electric company with rates and other programs. You might also be able to request an extension or an arrangement to help make paying your bill easier. Click here to learn more about the help we’ve found for Thumb Electric!
Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)
If you’re an UPPCO customer, you might be able to use their budget billing or payment extension program. The company also offers assistance to customers who qualify for it. If you’re unable to find help directly through the company, we also found a variety of community assistance programs like the Michigan THAW fund. To learn more about that and so much more, check this article out.
Volunteer Energy
If you’re a Volunteer Energy customer, you might be able to get help with lower rates and additional opportunities through this energy supplier. To find out more about saving money with Volunteer Energy and to learn about their energy supply options, go here!
We Energies
Help could be available through We Energies. You might qualify for the personal payment plan or a variety of other programs the company offers to those who qualify. You could even have your initial deposit waived if you meet income guidelines. We found out a lot about We Energies. Click here to see everything we found out about the company.
Wisconsin Public Service
If you’re a WPS customer, you might be able to get help with your bill! You can choose your due date, get lower rates and find programs that work for your needs. The company offers assistance to those who qualify and might be able to provide you with some help paying your bill. We also found a variety of community action programs that could help you pay your bill and even avoid shut-off issues. To see it all, check this article out.
XCel Energy
You could get help with the Heatshare program or the energy assistance program if you’re struggling to pay your XCel Energy bill. If you qualify, you might also be able to get free home upgrades and even help with payment extensions. The company has a lot of different resources available to customers who qualify. Click here to see the resources we found.
Melyssa Hardy
Monday 22nd of November 2021
Do you have any help with Michigan Gas Utilities
Isaac
Thursday 9th of December 2021
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll get that added to our research list and we’ll get that information added as soon as we can.
Curious
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
Resident of Niles, MI. - City of Niles Utilities Dept. It is a combined bill, for most customers. Mine is water, electric, and sewage. I can’t get on the payment plan until reasoning zero balance. That’s not a possibility any way I spin it currently. They are not an entity who is kind or generous in any sense but especially not in offering up helpful information to obviously qualifying long standing customers. It’s bazaar honestly. Ask, even politely, and it’s as if you’ve come to steal from their personal savings.
Jamie
Monday 30th of September 2019
Cloverland Electric is in the Eastern UP.
Riley Thomson
Monday 30th of September 2019
Jamie, I went ahead and put this on the research list. Thanks! -Riley
Serena Gould
Wednesday 10th of July 2019
Hi I'm serena live in hillsdale Michigan and didn't see anything for BPU (board public utilities)
Riley Thomson
Wednesday 10th of July 2019
Serena, I went ahead and added this to the research list. Thanks. -Riley
Patricia
Monday 20th of August 2018
Hi, I have Great Lakes energy, here in Fountain.
Nicole Thelin
Thursday 30th of August 2018
Hi, Patricia! I've added that to our research list. We'll get that information for you as soon as we can.