Consumers Energy Expands Outreach Across Michigan, Helping Customers Manage and Pay Bills

Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) is expanding outreach across Michigan to help customers manage and pay energy bills.

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) is expanding outreach across Michigan to help customers manage and pay energy bills. The company reports over 30,000 direct contacts this year via calls and events, and has provided $5 million in bill-payment assistance, focusing on vulnerable seniors and income-qualified customers.

Support includes the Budget Plan, Helping Neighbors home visits with up to $150 in free upgrades, the two-year CARE payment program, and access to state emergency relief and long-term cost-saving programs like rebates and time-of-use rates.

Argus May 14 session

+0.62% close to close 0.7x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – CMS

On May 14, the day this news came out, CMS closed 0.62% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 14 session.

Key Figures

Customers contacted: Over 30,000 people Bill assistance funding: $5 million Helping Neighbors upgrades: Up to $150 +4 more

Customers contacted

Over 30,000 people

Direct outreach in 2026 via calls and in-person events

Bill assistance funding

$5 million

Support provided to help customers pay bills this year

Helping Neighbors upgrades

Up to $150

Value of free energy-saving upgrades per income-qualified customer

CARE program term

Two-year program

Duration of payment program with bill forgiveness and shut-off protection

Residents served

6.8 million residents

Michigan customers receiving natural gas and/or electricity

State population

10 million residents

Total Michigan residents referenced in service coverage

Service counties

68 counties

Lower Peninsula counties served by Consumers Energy

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 08

5 events

1. May 08

   Preferred dividend

   24h Move

   -1.8%

   Declared quarterly dividend on 4.200% Series C preferred shares.

2. May 08

   Subsidiary dividend

   24h Move

   -1.8%

   Consumers Energy declared quarterly dividend on $4.50 preferred stock.

3. Apr 28

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   -0.2%

   Q1 2026 EPS increased year over year and guidance was reaffirmed.

4. Apr 21

   Grid investment

   24h Move

   -1.9%

   Announced rollout of weather stations to improve restoration and cut storm costs.

5. Apr 20

   Common dividend

   24h Move

   -0.9%

   Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.57 per common share.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

time–of–use rate

1 terms

time–of–use rate technical

"long–term cost–saving programs, including rebates, time–of–use rate options, and appliance"

A time–of–use rate is a pricing plan for electricity where the cost per kilowatt-hour changes depending on when power is used, with higher charges during busy periods and lower charges during quieter times. Like a toll road that costs more during rush hour, this encourages shifting consumption to off-peak hours and affects utilities’ revenue patterns, demand forecasts, and the value of batteries, smart meters, or energy-saving investments—information investors use to judge profitability and risk.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Over 30,000 Calls and In-Person Meetings Provide Assistance

JACKSON, Mich., May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy continues to expand its direct outreach to Michigan customers, reaching over 30,000 people directly this year through phone calls and in-person events around the state.

Consumers Energy has stepped up its efforts to help customers who are feeling financial pressures. Company representatives will help people at community events in Flint, Battle Creek, Royal Oak and elsewhere in the next few weeks.

"We understand the concerns our customers are facing, and we're responding with real, hands–on help," said Lauren Snyder, senior vice president and chief customer and growth officer. "Our teams and partners are out in communities every week helping people enroll in assistance programs, understand their options, and get the support they need."

Consumers Energy has made phone calls to vulnerable seniors, taken part in events in several communities, and provided $5 million to help customers pay bills this year. The company is planning additional outreach throughout the year to help connect people with money-saving programs and resources to pay bills.

Consumers Energy customers can visit ConsumersEnergy.com/offers for personalized offerings that make it easier to manage energy use and lower bills.

Here are some ways people can get help to manage or lower their bill:

• Budget Plan – Join many customers already enrolled in our Budget Plan for a consistent, predictable monthly payment. We make it easier to manage your bill with steady payments year-round. Learn more: ConsumersEnergy.com/budgetplan.
• Helping Neighbors – Consumers Energy brings support directly to income-qualified customers through Helping Neighbors, with teams visiting homes across Michigan every week. We identify energy-saving opportunities, provide up to $150 in free upgrades and connect customers with additional bill assistance. Learn more: ConsumersEnergy.com/HelpingNeighbors.
• Energy assistance – Consumers Energy is working with community partners statewide to help customers manage and pay their bills.
• The CARE program is a two-year payment program that offers forgiveness for past bills and shut-off protection. To get connected with available support, call 2-1-1- today and ask about applying for CARE.
• Additional help is available through the State of Michigan's State Emergency Relief program, which supports customers across the state. Michiganders can apply through MI Bridges to access assistance to help make bills more manageable. Applications can be completed online via MIBridges.

With temperatures about to start climbing, Consumers Energy customers can also take advantage of long–term cost–saving programs, including rebates, time–of–use rate options, and appliance recycling incentives.

"Consumers Energy is committed to helping customers stay comfortable while keeping bills low," Snyder said. "We're focused on giving our customers clear steps and helpful programs so they can use energy wisely, stay cool and save money."

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) announce on May 14, 2026 about customer bill assistance in Michigan?

Consumers Energy announced expanded outreach to help Michigan customers manage and pay energy bills. According to Consumers Energy, it has directly reached over 30,000 people this year through phone calls and in-person events, offering enrollment help for assistance and money-saving programs.

How many customers has Consumers Energy (CMS) helped so far in 2026 through outreach programs?

Consumers Energy reports helping over 30,000 people directly in 2026 through calls and in-person events. According to Consumers Energy, representatives contact vulnerable seniors, attend community events, and connect customers with assistance programs and tools to manage energy use and lower bills across Michigan.

How much financial help is Consumers Energy (CMS) providing to Michigan customers for bill payment in 2026?

Consumers Energy is providing $5 million in assistance to help customers pay bills in 2026. According to Consumers Energy, this funding supports vulnerable and income-qualified customers, complementing programs like CARE, Helping Neighbors, and state emergency relief options accessed via 2-1-1 and MI Bridges.

What is the Consumers Energy (CMS) Budget Plan and how does it help manage energy bills?

The Budget Plan offers customers consistent, predictable monthly payments for energy bills year-round. According to Consumers Energy, this plan smooths seasonal bill swings, helping households better manage cash flow and avoid surprises, with enrollment details available at ConsumersEnergy.com/budgetplan for Michigan customers.

What does the Helping Neighbors program from Consumers Energy (CMS) provide to Michigan customers?

Helping Neighbors delivers direct support to income-qualified customers through home visits across Michigan. According to Consumers Energy, teams identify energy-saving opportunities, provide up to $150 in free upgrades, and connect households with additional bill assistance to reduce usage and make monthly bills more manageable.

How does the CARE program from Consumers Energy (CMS) help with past-due energy bills?

The CARE program is a two-year payment plan offering past-due bill forgiveness and shut-off protection. According to Consumers Energy, customers can call 2-1-1 to ask about applying for CARE and get connected with available support to stabilize payments and keep service active.

What long-term cost-saving programs does Consumers Energy (CMS) offer as temperatures rise in Michigan?

Consumers Energy offers long-term cost-saving options such as rebates, time-of-use rate choices, and appliance recycling incentives. According to Consumers Energy, these programs are designed to help customers use energy wisely, stay cool during warmer months, and keep monthly bills as low as possible.