Don’t wait until it turns cold to get help with your electric bill or deliverable fuel.
If you are still struggling with a past due balance from last winter or are at 25 percent or below on your propane, there may be help available if you are a Barry County resident. MEAP utility assistance dollars are still available at Barry County United Way.
“We were fortunate to have been granted over $158,000 to assist with utility issues from the Michigan Energy Assistance Program,” Barry County United Way Program Coordinator Pattrick Jansens said. “To date we have assisted 180 households with $135,636 in energy assistance dollars but we still have more to expend by the end of September.”
To qualify, you must be at 150 percent of poverty or below; for a family of four, this generally means under $45,468.75 per year of earned income. As with many state grants, there is paperwork that is required by the state to qualify also, Jansens said. Driver’s license or photo ID for each adult over 18, Social Security Cards for each member of the household, a copy of the rental agreement or mortgage, verification of income and a completed MEAP application also must be submitted.
For more information, call Barry County United Way 269-945-4010.
