Consumers Energy is providing 12-million dollars to help Michigan residents and small businesses with energy bills, making an unprecedented committment to helping customers and communities that the virus pandemic has affected.

Consumers Energy has set a goal to help 25,000 households and 1,000 small businesses with this new assistance. The funding will go directly to customers in need and to Michigan nonprofit organizations.

The best way for people to get help is to call 2-1-1, a free service that connects people with nonprofit agencies in their communities, including the new financial help that Consumers Energy is announcing.

If a Consumers Energy customer is struggling to pay a bill, they can also call 800-477-5050.