Public Act 335 of 2004 requires the Michigan Department of Treasury to send all Home Heating Credit drafts directly to heat providers. Initially, this change in the program will affect Department of Human Services (DHS) clients only who are also customers of Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and SEMCO Gas. This program began in January 2005.

Why did my Home Heating Credit go to my heat provider?

A change in the law (Public Act 335 of 2004) requires the Department of Treasury to send the Home Heating Credit directly to your heat provider.

Why was the law changed?

To ensure proper use of federal funds for heating costs. Also, the goal is to increase efficiency in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by reducing costs in administering the program. This process will allow credits to be applied more quickly to your heat bills.

How does the program work?

When the heat provider notifies Treasury that you were their customer as of December 31, 2006, we will send your credit to them. They will apply it to your account for current and future heat bills.

Did this happen to customers of all heat providers?

We began with DHS recipients who were customers of DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and SEMCO Gas as of December 31, 2004.

When did the change in the program go into effect?

The program change began with Home Heating Credits filed on or after January 1, 2005.

Who are the utility companies involved and how do I contact them?

The only companies involved are Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and SEMCO Gas.

I used to check the box on the draft to get my overpayment back from my heat provider. How do I do it now?

You must check the box on line 43 of the Michigan Home Heating Credit form (MI-1040CR-7) if you want the overpayment refunded to you. If you were a Department of Human Services recipient who received any heat assistance other than the Home Heating Credit before December 31, 2006, your heat provider will keep any overpayment. Your heat provider must keep this overpayment for nine months and apply it to any future bills that you may have during that period of time. At the end of nine months, if you still have an overpayment, your heat provider will refund the balance to you.

Why should I even apply if I am not going to get the credit sent to me?

We are able to process your claim and get your credit applied quicker to reduce your heating bill. Also, there is less chance for the draft to be lost or stolen.