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Commission approves boost to Michigan's low-income energy assistance fund; eligibility widened
Summary
The commission approved an order implementing a 25-cent-per-meter monthly increase to the low-income energy assistance fund factor, which staff said would raise available funds to about $90 million next fiscal year and broaden eligibility to 60% of state median income (raising a four-person household threshold to roughly $70,000).
The Michigan Public Service Commission unanimously approved an order (case U-17377) that implements the provisions of Public Act 95 of 2013 as amended and sets a proposed low-income energy assistance fund factor that increases the per-meter charge by 25 cents per month.
Commission staff said the change would raise available funds for the program to approximately $90 million for the next fiscal year, up from $75 million this year. The order also reflects statutory reforms that expanded eligibility from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the state's median income. Staff gave a practical example: a family of four that previously had to earn under about $48,000 to qualify could now be eligible at incomes up to about $70,000.
Chair Dan Scripps and other commissioners framed the action as an implementation step following bipartisan 2024 reforms. The commission set a deadline for utilities to file required low-income energy assistance fund information by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on April 1, 2026, and established a deadline for comments on the proposed factor by March 18, 2026.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the order.
