Kent County Essential Needs Task Force campaign seeks to reduce stigma around utility assistance.

In 2020, utility assistance agencies in Kent County issued almost 11,000 payments, providing over $4 million in payments, to help households maintain electric, heat, and water services. The need for utility assistance is great. Some households, however, may not pursue help due to a lack of understanding of how or where to apply, or due to internal or external stigma associated with applying for assistance. 

When people find themselves in need, especially for the first time, it is common to feel embarrassment, anxiety, shame, fear and even a sense of isolation; these emotions can be a barrier to asking for help. These emotions, coupled with lack of knowledge, government guidelines, income qualifications, long wait times and capped amounts of money, create barriers both real and perceived. 

The reality is there is no shame in asking for assistance. Affordable utilities are a human right.

Client Stories

“Owing Consumers Energy much more than I could pay, I was going to bed at night not knowing if we were going to have electricity. Our household members included a child with autism and my spouse who is a stroke victim. It was a very scary time in our lives. We reached out to True North who assisted our family right away. They were able to get us on a program with Consumers Energy that made our payments reasonable and they are helping us pay off our past due amount. I am forever grateful for their help and kindness.” 

“I received a shutoff because I fell behind on my bill due to a decrease in my income. It was an easy process to apply through DHHS on their website, and my worker reached out to me in a timely manner. If you’re in need of help it will really do you good to reach out to DHHS or apply for the SER online and someone will reach out to you.” 

“A senior client came into North Kent Connect looking for assistance with their propane. Their social security was just not going to cover a fill of propane in their tank. North Kent Connect assisted the client in applying for funding through DHHS for a fill in their propane tank. The NKC case manager was able to get the client set up in the Michigan Energy Assistance Program as well.. The Case Manager also gave the client information about monthly payments they could set up with their propane company, so they don’t run the risk of running out of their heat source again. “

Next Steps 

If you are an employer: 

• Needing assistance to make ends meet is not a personal failing. Many people do not have informal networks that can support them in hard times. Be considerate of employees who may need help.
• Outside factors can impact an employee’s work performance. Consider having the resources below readily available in your workplace to assist your employees. 

If you are a non-profit professional: 

• Understand what resources are available below and how to refer your clients to them.
• Facilitate a discussion about how stigma impacts your clients at your next staff meeting.
• Invite a member of the Reducing Stigma team to your next staff meeting. Email NDobkowski@hwmuw.org for additional information.

If you are an utility assistance provider, ensure your information in 211 is up-to-date by emailing John Mitchell at 211 at jmitchell@hwmuw.org.

If you yourself need utility assistance, please access the resources below.

Resources 

-Call 2-1-1. They provide confidential guidance in the application process and can direct people to the appropriate resources.

-Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through MIBridges. Qualifying through SER will allow someone to access the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). People who would like to fill out a paper copy can print one here or go to the MDHHS office at 121 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 to fill one out.

-If qualified through MDHHS, other supplemental resources may be available. Agencies that provide this assistance include Kent County Community Action, The Salvation Army, North Kent Connect, True North, Kent County Veteran Services and Senior Neighbors. 

-Enroll in an Affordable Payment Plans through Consumers (Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy, or CARE) and DTE (Low Income Self Sufficiency Program, or LSP). Both require applying for SER first.