SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company offers a variety of payment plans and assistance programs to help customers with their gas bills. It’s important to contact SEMCO as soon as you know you cannot pay your entire gas bill because a payment plan may be available, or you may be advised of assistance agencies in your area.
For more information, contact Customer Service at 1-800-624-2019.
SEMCO ENERGY Programs
MONTHLY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
EFFECTIVE DATES: October - September
MAP is an income-based, budget program that provides eligible customers with a reduced budget. Please Click Here to visit the MAP page for more information.
WINTER PROTECTION PLAN (WPP)
EFFECTIVE DATES: November 1 through March 31
The Winter Protection Program (WPP) may protect low-income and senior customers (65 years or older) from service shut off during the winter (November 1 - March 31). You may qualify for the plan if you have a household income at or below 150% of poverty level (as shown in the income guideline chart) or receive any of the following:
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services cash assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Food Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
Participation in WPP does not relieve the customers of responsibility of paying for natural gas usage, but will prevent heating season shut off if on-time payments are made. Any unpaid balance accrued through the winter months will be reconciled at the end of the protection period and will be split into monthly installments to be paid April - October along with the current bill.
Income Guidelines (2026-2027)
| INCOME GUIDELINES (2026-2027) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Household Members | 150% of Poverty Guidelines Maximum Income |
| 1 | $23,940 |
| 2 | $32,460 |
| 3 | $40,980 |
| 4 | $49,500 |
| 5 | $58,020 |
| 6 | $66,540 |
| 7 | $75,060 |
| 8 | $83,580 |
| Add $8,520 for each additional household member | |
- You can apply through SEMCO for WPP and within 14 days provide proof of having applied for state assistance.
- You may sign up beginning November 1 by paying a minimum of 1/12th of any past-due amount.
- If you qualify, you will pay 7% per month of your estimated annual heating bill during the WPP period plus a portion of your arrears.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTECTION
You can receive a medical hold preventing service from being shutoff for nonpayment on your natural gas bill for up to 21 days if you or a member of your household, has an existing medical condition that would be aggravated by the lack of utility service. Your condition must be certified by a physician or public health office on a Michigan Public Service Commission approved Medical Certification Form. The form must state the medical condition, medical equipment, and specific time period a shutoff of utility service would make the medical condition worse. If the shutoff of service occurred before a medical emergency is approved, service will be restored at no cost to you for 21 days. You can obtain an extension of the medical hold and a postponement of shutoff of service for a total of 63 days (three separate medical holds) in any 12-month period per household member.
Participation does not relieve you from the responsibility for paying for natural gas usage. The Medical Certification Form is available here.
CRITICAL CARE CUSTOMER
A customer or household can receive protection from disconnection or have services restored due to inability to pay if there is an identified critical care customer in the home and interruption of service would be immediately life threatening. A critical care customer is somebody who requires home medical equipment or a life support system that must be certified by a physician or public health office on a Michigan Public Service Commission approved Medical Certification Form. Customers would be granted a three-business day grace period from shutoff of utility service for time to have the Medical Certification Form completed. You will be contacted by the utility when any scheduled service interruptions occur. The utility will also notify you before any remote shutoff of utility services. Participation does not relieve you from the responsibility for paying for electricity and natural gas usage. If critical care status changes, you, or a person in your household, must let the utility know of the status change. However, if a person’s status does not change you must submit an updated Medical Certification Form to the utility on an annual basis.
SENIOR PROTECTION PROGRAM
EFFECTIVE DATES: November 1 through March 31
The account holder who is an eligible senior citizen, age 65 and older, is protected from disconnection of service during the heating season (November 1 through March 31) at the customer’s documented personal residence. The utility will restore service for the customer during the heating season without payment of the amount due, deposits, reconnection fees, or other charges. At the end of the heating season, the account will be placed on a payment plan and payment must begin immediately. Contact the utility directly to enroll on the WPP.
MILITARY PROTECTION
If you or your spouse is the customer of record and either of you are called to full-time active military service, by the President of the United States or the Governor of Michigan, during a national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shutoff protection of natural gas service for up to 90 days. You may also reapply for extensions of this protection. Verification of active-duty status may be requested. In addition, you must provide notification when your status changes. Contact SEMCO Energy to set up a payment plan for all past due amounts to be paid within twelve months. You will still be required to pay for services used while in the program.
State Programs
STATE EMERGENCY RELIEF (SER) PROGRAM
CONTACT: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services by clicking here.
Eligibility is based on the following:
- Demonstration of immediate need (past due/shutoff notice for an energy bill)
- Declared need for a deliverable fuel such as propane (less than 25% remaining in tank)
- A stated need for a fuel source where there is no meter (wood, pellets, corn, cherry pits)
- Verified need for energy-related home repair
- Under 150% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Cash and non-cash asset limit is $15,000
Apply online using MI Bridges: http://michigan.gov/mibridges
Need help applying? https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/s/isd-find-community-partners
If you need assistance with completing the SER application, please contact SEMCO's Assistance Department for additional support at 1-800-624-2019, option 3, then option 1 for the Monthly Assistance Program (MAP). Additional information is also available on the MAP page.
HOME HEATING CREDIT
CONTACT: Michigan Department of Treasury
EFFECTIVE DATES: January 1 through September 30
Apply for a Home Heating Credit (HHC) to help pay winter heating bills if you meet the listed household income guidelines and exemptions. You may claim an exemption for yourself, your spouse, and other dependents. Additional exemptions may also be available. HHC is supported by the Federal LIHEAP.
Forms are generally available in mid-to-late January where tax forms can be found. Call Treasury at (517) 636-4486 or visit its website at www.michigan.gov/treasury. Some local agencies or utility companies may provide assistance in completing the form due no later than September 30 each year. To find an agency that assists with tax preparation, contact 2-1-1.
Customers of utilities regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission receive protection from shutoff of their heating fuel service from the time of filing of HHC form with Treasury until the time Treasury issues the credit. However, you must contact your utility company to let it know you filed for the HHC. Keep a copy of the HHC form you file with the number of exemptions claimed and the amount of the credit to use when requesting the status of your application. You will still be required to pay for the electric and natural gas services used during the shutoff protection period.
Please contact SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company once you have filed for the Home Heating Credit. Protection is available to allow time for the Energy Draft to be issued. Please keep a copy of your form with the number of exemptions claimed and the amount of the credit. You will be required to pay for the natural gas service used during the shut off protection period.
Income Guidelines (2026-2027)
| INCOME GUIDELINES (2026-2027) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Exemptions | 110% of Federal Poverty Guidelines Maximum Annual Income |
| 0-1 | $17,556 |
| 2 | $23,804 |
| 3 | $30,052 |
| 4 | $36,300 |
| 5 | $42,548 |
| 6 | $48,796 |
| 7 | $55,044 |
| 8 | $61,292 |
| Add $6,248 for each additional exemption | |
Residential Income Assistance (RIA) Credit
CONTACT: Assistance Department 1-810-887-4867
The Residential Income Assistance Credit is supplied to residential customers at their primary residence for households with income that does not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty level. To qualify and begin receiving this credit, receipt of one of the following must be verified:
- Home Heating Credit
- State Emergency Relief (SER)
- Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
If receipt cannot be verified, a self-attestation form must be completed and provided to SEMCO. This can be completed over the phone at 1-810-887-4867 or by downloading the form here.
Upon qualification, the Residential Income Assistance Credit will be applied for the following 12 months.
Low-Income Assistance (LIA) Credit
Company selected residential customers may receive the Low-Income Assistance (LIA) credit. This credit is available up to 2,000 qualifying residential customers with focus of high energy burden, low-income status, and/or senior status. LIA customer selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Customers whose total household income is at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level as confirmed by an authorized State, Federal, or community agency: or
- Customers who have received a Home Heating Credit in the previous 12 months: or
- Customers that receive any of the following state assistance programs:
- Assistance from a state emergency relief program
- Food Assistance
- Medicaid
The monthly credit for LIA shall be applied as follows: $30 per customer per month. If a credit balance occurs, the credit shall apply to the customer’s future gas utility charges.
STATE EARNED INCOME CREDIT (SEIC)
CONTACT: Michigan Department of Treasury
For the current tax year, a taxpayer may claim a Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit equal to a percentage of the federal earned income tax credit for which the taxpayer is eligible, if any. See the current Michigan income tax booklet or contact the Michigan Department of Treasury for additional information at www.michigan.gov/taxes.
Agency Programs
THE HEAT AND WARMTH FUND (THAW)
CONTACT: THAW
The Heat And Warmth Fund is a leading provider of utility assistance for Michigan residents in need. THAW collaborates with partners to deliver services that support long-term energy solutions. Recipients of THAW assistance include the elderly, unemployed, underemployed and disabled individuals who found themselves in an energy crisis. More than 70% of the households assisted have a child or senior in the home. These populations are especially vulnerable to the cold. THAW programs are open to eligible Michigan residents. Visit thawfund.org for more information.
LOW-INCOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Administering Agency: Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity
Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded, low-income residential energy conservation program providing free home energy conservation services to eligible homeowners and renters with a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. You are also eligible if you participate in the Department of Health and Human Services Family Independence Program or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These weatherization services can help reduce energy use and lower utility bills.
If you qualify, a trained inspector will assess your home and determine which measures will be the most beneficial for you. Measures may include adding caulking and weather stripping; wall, basement, and attic insulation and ventilation; and smoke detectors. Contact your local Community Action Agency or click here for more information or to find the community action agency in your area. For additional information on saving energy and money, visit www.energy.gov/energysaver.
MICHIGAN VETERANS TRUST FUND EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM
Contact: Michigan Veterans Trust Fund at 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or https://www.michigan.gov/mvaa/.
The Trust Fund provides temporary assistance to veterans and their families facing a financial emergency or hardship including the need for energy assistance.
UNITED WAY 2-1-1
2-1-1 is a one-stop, around-the-clock free phone and online service that links people with information or agencies that can help with utility assistance and other needs such as rent payment help, child and elder care, emergency shelters, job training, counseling, etc. Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone or click here to Search Resource Database to get connected to available services.