Consumers Energy's CARE Program Again Helps Michigan Residents Stay Warm This Winter

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Some 14,000 Michigan households could receive help from Consumers Energy to stay warm this winter through CARE, a program that lets them manage and afford their energy bills.

"Our Promise is to care for the Michigan communities we serve, and that includes providing assistance to those who need it most," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer operations and quality. "CARE is a powerful tool to help people stay current on their bills, which is especially important when temperatures fall."

CARE (Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy) is available to Consumers Energy customers based on their income. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $35,775 or less would be eligible.

Among the program's other benefits:

• A 40 percent credit on monthly energy charges until September 2015.
• Any outstanding past due balance is frozen and will be reduced as long as participants make regular monthly payments.
• Energy efficiency education, including an opportunity to participate in the Helping Neighbors program, which provides free installation of energy-efficient equipment in your home.

Anyone can learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/CARE, including information on how to enroll. Those who participated in CARE last year and still qualify will need to reapply by Nov. 1 to enroll for the second year.

Assistance to help individuals and families afford and manage their bills is available through a variety of channels. People are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to learn about assistance options in their community.

"Getting help is the best way to control your energy bills and stay safe," Rochow said. "If you're concerned that you will have trouble paying your bill, call us immediately. We can work with you."

In addition, Rochow emphasized the following:

• Consumers Energy can make arrangements to stretch out payments over time, depending on the situation.
• Consumers Energy offers a monthly discount for seniors, age 65 and older, who are electric customers. Seniors should call 800-477-5050 if they are not already receiving the discount.
• Seniors also are protected from disconnection Nov. 1 through March 31.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit

CARE PROGRAM: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/CARE

OTHER ASSISTANCE: Learn about other assistance programs: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/assistance

HELPING NEIGHBORS: Consumers Energy provides home energy analyses to households based on income: www.ConsumersHelpingNeighbors.com

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.

SOURCE Consumers Energy