Consumers Energy Provides Assistance to Help Michigan's Seniors Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) announced assistance and safeguards for Michigan residents age 65 and older ahead of winter on Dec. 9, 2025. Key programs include a $4 monthly electric bill credit for seniors at their primary residence, a Winter Protection Plan (enrollment Nov–Mar) that prevents winter shut-offs and high payment demands, and an 18-month Shut-Off Protection Plan available year-round for seniors. The company updated its assistance webpages and said it provided $7 million this year to help qualifying electric and gas customers. Customers can call 800-477-5050 or 2-1-1 for help and visit ConsumersEnergy.com/Assistance for details.

Key Figures

Senior bill credit $4 per month Monthly electric bill credit for eligible seniors at primary residence

Customer assistance funding $7 million Provided in 2025 to help electric and natural gas customers with bills

Senior eligibility age 65 years and older Threshold for senior-focused credits and protection plans

Shut-Off Protection Plan length 18 months Protection from shut-off available to seniors age 65 and older

Winter Protection enrollment window November–March Enrollment period for Winter Protection Plan

Residents served 6.8 million Michigan residents receiving natural gas and/or electricity from Consumers Energy

State population reference 10 million Total Michigan residents referenced in article

Service counties 68 counties Lower Peninsula counties served by Consumers Energy

Market Reality Check

$70.52 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,589,403 is below the 20-day average of 2,101,699 (relative volume 0.76x). normal

Technical Price at $70.52 is trading below the 200-day MA of $72.23, modestly under longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

CMS was down 0.8% with several regulated utility peers also lower: CNP -0.78%, EIX -3.91%, DTE -1.25%, FE -0.33%, while PPL rose 0.27%, suggesting mixed but generally soft sector tone.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 14	Preferred dividend	Positive	+0.0%	Declared quarterly dividend on 4.200% Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock.
Nov 14	Preferred dividend	Positive	+0.0%	Consumers Energy board set quarterly dividend on $4.50 preferred stock.
Nov 04	Debt financing	Neutral	+0.6%	Priced upsized $850M 3.125% convertible senior notes due 2031 to refinance debt.
Nov 03	Proposed offering	Negative	-1.4%	Announced proposed $750M convertible senior notes due 2031 for refinancing and general use.
Oct 30	Earnings & guidance	Positive	+1.3%	Reported stronger Q3 results and raised 2025 adjusted EPS guidance with 2026 outlook.

Pattern Detected

Recent news, including financings, dividends, and strong earnings, has led to relatively modest single-day price moves, indicating contained volatility around announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, CMS reported strong Q3 2025 results with higher EPS and revenue, and raised 2025 and initiated 2026 adjusted EPS guidance. It executed a tender offer for mortgage bonds and pursued convertible senior note financings, first proposing $750M and then pricing an upsized $850M issue to refinance debt and for general purposes. Preferred stock dividends for both CMS and Consumers Energy were declared. Today’s senior-focused customer assistance announcement extends this pattern of balance-sheet management and customer-facing initiatives.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights expanded support for Michigan seniors, including $4 monthly bill credits, an 18‑month shut‑off protection plan, and winter safeguards, alongside $7 million in 2025 customer assistance funding. In context of recent strong earnings, guidance updates, and balance‑sheet actions, it underscores CMS’s focus on regulated customer relationships. Investors may watch how such programs interplay with future rate cases, capital plans, and subsequent earnings releases when evaluating long‑term impacts.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

People 65 and Older Eligible for Bill Credits, Shut-Off Protection

JACKSON, Mich., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Michigan prepares for another cold winter, Consumers Energy is highlighting energy bill assistance and safeguards for seniors. Those include shut-off protection and $4 monthly electric bill credits that are available to most households headed by someone age 65 or older.

"Consumers Energy is committed to serving all of our customers, including ensuring that our seniors are using all resources that keep them safe and comfortable in their homes," said Brian Lewis, Consumers Energy's executive director of customer service and programs. "We hope to spread the word that Consumers Energy can help our friends and neighbors, no matter their needs."

Consumers Energy recently updated its energy assistance webpage to help customers better understand their options to help pay their energy bills. Specifically, the company offers help for people 65 and older:

• Senior citizen bill credits – Seniors can receive a $4 monthly credit on electric bills at their primary residence. The credit cannot be combined with the Low-Income Assistance Credit or Residential Income Assistance. If there's an issue with receiving the credit, please confirm your birthday is correctly submitted by calling 800-477-5050.
• Winter Protection Plan – The plan protects people 65 and older against shut-off and high payments during the wintertime. Enrollment runs from November through March.
• Shut-Off Protection Plan – The 18-month protection from shut-off plan is available to seniors age 65 and older. Enrollment is year-round.

Consumers Energy offers assistance and connections to resources through an array of programs. Customers can learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com/Assistance. People can also learn about ways to save on their energy bills at ConsumersEnergy.com/Winter.

Consumers Energy this year has provided $7 million to help electric and natural gas customers who qualify to receive help with bills. Anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills can also call 2-1-1, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations.

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

Who qualifies for the Consumers Energy $4 monthly senior electric bill credit (CMS) announced Dec. 9, 2025?

Households with a primary resident age 65 or older qualify for the $4 monthly electric credit; it cannot be combined with other low-income credits.

What are the enrollment dates for Consumers Energy's Winter Protection Plan for seniors (CMS)?

The Winter Protection Plan enrollment runs from November through March and protects eligible seniors from winter shut-offs and high payment demands.

How long is Consumers Energy's Shut-Off Protection Plan for people 65 and older (CMS)?

The Shut-Off Protection Plan for seniors provides 18 months of protection from shut-off and is available for year-round enrollment.

How much emergency assistance did Consumers Energy provide to customers in 2025 (CMS)?

Consumers Energy said it provided $7 million this year to help qualifying electric and natural gas customers with bills.

How can Michigan seniors contact Consumers Energy to confirm eligibility for the senior credit (CMS)?

Seniors can call 800-477-5050 to confirm their birthday information and eligibility for the credit, or visit ConsumersEnergy.com/Assistance.