January 2009 Customer Connection
The following topics were covered in your issue of January's Customer Connection:
- MI Energy Assistance Programs
- Simple Ways to Save Energy
- Recipe Corner: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Other information included with your bill...
MI Energy Assistance Programs
Winter Protection Plan
Contact: Wisconsin Public Service at 800-450-7260
The Winter Protection Plan protects eligible senior and low-income customers from service shutoff and high utility bill payments during the winter months (November 1 through March 31).
If you're an eligible low-income customer who participates in the Winter Protection Plan, you will not have service discontinued during the winter months if you pay at least 7% of your estimated annual bill each month, plus equal monthly payments on any past due bills.
If you're an eligible senior citizen customer who participates in the Winter Protection Plan, you are not required to make specific payments between November 1 and March 31 to ensure that your service will not be shut off. However, seniors are encouraged to pay whatever they can during the winter so they will not have large, unmanageable bills when the protection period ends.
When the protection period ends (March 31), you will need to pay the full monthly bill plus a portion of the amount owed from the winter months.
You qualify for the plan if you meet one of the following requirements:
- Are age 65 or older
- Receive Department of Human Services cash assistance
- Receive food stamps
- Receive Medicaid
- Have a household income at or below 150% of poverty level (see Annual Income Guidelines)
Winter Protection Plan Annual Income Guidelines (2008-2009)
| Number of Household Members | 150% of Poverty Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,600 |
| 2 | 21,000 |
| 3 | 26,400 |
| 4 | 31,800 |
| 5 | 37,200 |
| 6 | 42,600 |
| 7 | 48,000 |
| 8 | 53,400 |
Add $5,400 for each additional household member.
2008 Home Heating Credit
Contact: Michigan Department of Treasury at 800-367-6263 or
michigan.gov/treasury
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2008 tax year if you meet the income guidelines listed below.
If you qualify, the Home Heating Credit (HHC) provides assistance to help pay for your winter heating bills. Eligible customers must meet the standard credit income guidelines or alternate guidelines based on household income, exemptions and heating costs.
| Exemptions | Income Ceiling |
|---|---|
| 1 | $11,443 |
| 2 | 15,415 |
| 3 | 19,386 |
| 4 | 23,329 |
| 5 | 27,301 |
| 6 | 31,242 |
For each exemption over 6, add $3,971.
You may claim an exemption for yourself, your spouse and other dependents. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled customers or customers with 50% or more of their income from unemployment compensation. The Home Heating Credit claim form must be filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury before September 30, 2009. Forms are generally available wherever other tax forms are provided. You can also call the Michigan Dept. of Treasury or visit michigan.gov/treasury.
2008 Earned Income Credit
Contact: U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families who meet certain requirements and file a tax return. Those who qualify will owe less in taxes and may get a refund. Even a person who does not generally owe income tax may qualify for the EIC, however must file a tax return to do so. If you are married, you must file jointly to qualify. To file, fill out Form 1040 or 1040A and attach the EIC.
If you are raising a qualifying child in your home in 2008, you may also be able to receive part of the credit in your paycheck during the year with Advance EIC. Get form W-5 from your employer or call 800-TAX-FORM.
Crisis Assistance Program
Contact: Michigan's Department of Human Services (DHS)
State Emergency Relief Program (SER)
You do not have to be a client of the DHS to apply for help through the SER. This program is available year-round to low-income households that have received a heat or electric shutoff notice or have a need for deliverable fuel. However, if you receive a DHS cash grant, you may vendor part of that grant towards heat and electric bills. Contact your DHS caseworker for information on the advantages of vendoring a cash grant.
Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program
Contact: Local Community Action Agency
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy conservation services to eligible low-income homeowners and renters. Weatherization may include caulking, weatherstripping, insulating and smoke detectors.
Medical Emergency Protection
Contact: Wisconsin Public Service at 800-450-7260
You are protected from service shutoff for nonpayment of your natural gas and/or electric bill for up to 21 days if you have a proven medical emergency. You must provide written proof from a doctor that a medical emergency exists.
Shutoff Protection for Customers on Active Duty in the Military
Contact: Wisconsin Public Service at 800-450-7260
If you or your spouse is the WPS customer of record and either of you is called to full-time active military service by the President of the United States or the Governor of Michigan during a time of declared national or state emergency or war, you may apply for shut-off protection from your electric or natural gas service for up to 90 days. At the end of the active duty period, you must notify your utility company of your status and make payment arrangements.
Contact Us
WPS wants to help you manage your monthly energy bill. We encourage you to enroll in Budget Billing, which spreads your energy charges out evenly over 12 months, helping you better manage your energy costs. If you are interested in learning more about your energy use and managing your costs, visit Energy-Saving Tools & Ideas and All About My Bill. If you are experiencing payment difficulties, please call us at 800-450-7260. We're here to help.
Simple Ways to Save Energy
Though natural gas is a significant portion of your energy charges each month, there are plenty of ways you can keep control over how much you spend on heating this winter.
Try these energy-saving tips and you could see the savings add up.
- Lower Your Thermostat
- Typical homes stay warm and comfortable when their thermostats are set between 65° and 68°. For every degree you reduce your thermostat, you save more than $4 per month. Lower your thermostat 5°, and you'll cut about $22 from each monthly bill.
- Use Clean Filters
- Dirty filters make furnaces work harder and burn more natural gas to produce the same amount of heat. Replacing or cleaning your furnace filter monthly improves efficiency, saving almost $11 each month.
- Reduce Water Temperature
- If your natural gas water heater is set too high, it may be costing you extra money. Keep yours at 120° and save over $2 on your energy costs per month.
Savings are based on an average home with average energy use.
Try these to save even more energy:
- Insulate, insulate, insulate! Adding insulation to attic, wall and sill box areas, and special insulation made to go inside power outlets, are a few of the most effective, affordable ways to cut energy costs.
- Tune up your heating system. Just like your car, your furnace needs to be tuned up to run at peak performance. An annual inspection can improve efficiency by 1-2%.
- Caulk and weatherstrip. Heat often escapes through older windows and doors. Caulk around the edges of windows and weatherstrip around door edges to significantly reduce that loss.
- Turn on your ceiling fans. They increase air movement and warmth while saving money. Reversing the fan direction in winter pulls warmer air down to where people are.
- Take advantage of the heat from the sun. Open shades on the southern and eastern windows during the day. Close these shades when the sun goes down to keep the heat from escaping.
- Watch that thermostat. For every degree you lower it, you'll take about 1% off your bill. You'll stay comfortable at 65° to 68° during the day, and 60° at night.
Find even more Energy-Saving Tips.
Note: If you feel you'll have problems paying your monthly WPS bills, contact us as soon as possible, before your charges become too great. We'll work with you to see if we can come to an arrangement that satisfies your needs. Call 24-Hour Customer Service at 800-450-7260.
Recipe Corner: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Prep time: 20 minutes
Baking temperature: 325°
Baking time: 1 ½ hours
- 6 chicken breast halves, deboned and skinned
- 6 slices of boiled ham, sliced medium
- 6 slices of Swiss cheese, sliced medium
- 1 can (10 ¾ oz.) cream of chicken soup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups croutons
- ½ cup butter, melted
In a 9" x 13" pan, layer chicken, ham and cheese. Mix soup and water and pour over layers.
Mix croutons and butter and put over the top of casserole. Bake uncovered.