Consumers Energy Provides $2 Million to Help Qualifying Customers Offset Past Due Summer Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) has announced a $2 million commitment to help qualifying customers with past-due summer energy bills. The assistance will be distributed through The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and The Salvation Army. Eligible customers must be past due, shut-off, or have a balance on a former address, with income qualifications varying by household size.

This initiative follows a $5 million contribution earlier this year for winter assistance. In 2024, Consumers Energy helped over 137,000 Michiganders obtain nearly $69 million in energy cost assistance. The company serves 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Positive

• Commitment of $2 million in new customer assistance funding
• Previously provided $5 million for winter season assistance
• Helped 137,000 customers obtain $69 million in energy assistance in 2024
• Broad eligibility criteria including households earning up to $128,600 for family of four

Negative

• Rising number of customers requiring payment assistance
• High demand for utility assistance indicating widespread payment challenges

Insights

Utility Industry Analyst

Consumers Energy's $7M customer assistance program addresses payment difficulties while managing bad debt exposure and regulatory relationships.

Consumers Energy's $2 million commitment to help customers with past-due summer bills represents a strategic approach to customer payment challenges. This latest allocation follows a $5 million contribution earlier this year, bringing their 2025 assistance total to $7 million. The program's relatively high income thresholds—qualifying individuals earning up to $62,060 and families of four earning up to $128,600—signal that even middle-income households in Michigan are struggling with utility payments.

The company's disclosure that they helped over 137,000 Michigan residents secure nearly $69 million in energy payment assistance during 2024 provides valuable insight into the scale of payment difficulties across their customer base. With Consumers Energy serving 6.8 million residents across Michigan's Lower Peninsula, this represents a significant portion requiring payment support.

From a utility operations perspective, this assistance program serves multiple strategic purposes. It helps maintain revenue streams by preventing complete non-payment, reduces costly disconnection/reconnection processes, and demonstrates regulatory compliance with customer protection requirements. The partnership approach with established community organizations like THAW and The Salvation Army leverages existing infrastructure for efficient fund distribution while generating positive community relations.

For utilities, managing the balance between revenue collection and customer affordability remains a persistent challenge, particularly in regions facing economic pressures. This program illustrates Consumers Energy's proactive approach to this balancing act, potentially reducing bad debt write-offs while fulfilling their public service obligations as Michigan's largest energy provider.

$7 Million in Assistance Provided to Meet Needs This Year

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is committing $2 million to help thousands of electric and natural gas customers who qualify to receive timely help to offset past due summer energy bills. Consumers Energy will distribute the onetime assistance payments through two of its community agency partners – The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and The Salvation Army.

"Consumers Energy is proud to again take the lead in assisting our customers in their greatest time of need – ensuring more Michigan households who need help this summer can access these funds," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's senior vice president, chief customer and growth officer. "We want anyone who's concerned about making ends meet to know you can count on us to help ease some of the costs of energy bills."

To qualify for the one-time assistance payment, customers must be past due, shut-off or have a balance on a former address. This program is income-based and qualifications vary based on household size. For example, an individual making less than $62,060 per year or a family of four with a household income of less than $128,600 per year would qualify. Agency partners will verify customers' eligibility and use their discretion in determining the exact amount a household could receive.

"Consumers Energy has been a longtime partner in our mission to keep Michigan families healthy, safe and warm," said Kimberly Burton, CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund. "We are profoundly grateful for their generosity, partnership and shared dedication to the well-being of our Michigan families and communities. With this additional support, THAW will be able to provide critical utility assistance to customers during their time of greatest need."

"For many families and people in need, The Salvation Army is their last hope. Driven by unprecedented demand, it is almost impossible to keep up with the number of requests we receive for utility assistance. The money is gone almost as soon as we get it," said Lt. Colonel Steve Merritt, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. "God Bless Consumers Energy, not only for this donation, but for our partnership with them, as they continue to help thousands safely remain in their homes."

Consumers Energy's $2 million company pledge follows a $5 million contribution earlier this year that assisted customers in need during the winter season. Funding remains available from that fund as well through TrueNorth Community Services by calling 231-355-5880.

Additionally, Consumers Energy helped over 137,000 Michiganders to obtain nearly $69 million from a variety of sources to pay energy costs in 2024.

"We are dedicated to the people who count on us for energy and provide assistance that allows people to stay safe and comfortable in any season," Synder added.

To apply, customers can call or visit the following agency website links.

• THAW: Call 1-800-866-THAW (8429) or apply online at www.thawfund.org
• The Salvation Army: Contact your local Salvation Army or apply online at https://salarmy.us/energy.

Consumers Energy reminds customers additional help is available for anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills by calling 2-1-1, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations. Customers can also visit ConsumersEnergy.com/assistance. 

To make it easier for customers to find the help they need based on their situation, Consumers Energy recently launched "My Personalized Offerings," an easy-to-use tool that empowers customers to identify and enroll in custom payment assistance and energy management programs. The optional tool is free and available to all customers at ConsumersEnergy.com/offers.

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. 

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

 

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

How much assistance is Consumers Energy (CMS) providing for summer energy bills in 2025?

Consumers Energy is providing $2 million in assistance to help qualifying customers offset past-due summer energy bills.

Who qualifies for Consumers Energy's 2025 summer bill assistance program?

Customers who are past due, shut-off, or have a balance on a former address qualify. Income limits vary by household size - individuals making under $62,060 or families of four earning less than $128,600 annually are eligible.

How can customers apply for Consumers Energy's 2025 bill assistance program?

Customers can apply through THAW by calling 1-800-866-THAW or visiting www.thawfund.org, or through The Salvation Army's website at https://salarmy.us/energy.

How many Michigan residents did Consumers Energy help with energy costs in 2024?

Consumers Energy helped over 137,000 Michiganders obtain nearly $69 million from various sources to pay energy costs in 2024.

What is the total amount of assistance Consumers Energy has provided in 2025?

Consumers Energy has provided a total of $7 million in assistance in 2025, including $5 million for winter season assistance and $2 million for summer bills.