How to apply for State Emergency Relief — Energy & Heat (LIHEAP) + MEAP

Who it's for

State Emergency Relief (SER) pays heat and electric bills, deposits, and reconnection fees for Michigan households in an energy crisis, using federal LIHEAP funds. The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) adds bill-payment help plus support to keep service on. Monthly income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level — $1,956 for one person, $2,644 for two (effective October 1, 2025). There is no income copayment for energy services: a household is either under the limit or it is not. Crisis applications get a response within 48 hours. Apply through MI Bridges or a local MDHHS office.

What you'll need

• Photo ID
• Proof of household income
• A shut-off or past-due notice, or a deliverable-fuel statement
• Most recent energy bills

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about State Emergency Relief — Energy & Heat (LIHEAP) + MEAP. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need photo ID, proof of household income, a shut-off or past-due notice, or a deliverable-fuel statement — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Check your eligibility first. Total monthly net income for everyone in your household must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level — $1,956 for one person, $2,644 for two, plus $688 for each additional member (MDHHS SER Income Need Standards, effective October 1, 2025). If income is over the limit, the request is denied. If it is under, the household is eligible. There is no copayment for energy services.
2. Gather your required documents before you apply: a photo ID, proof of household income for all members, a shut-off or past-due notice (or a deliverable-fuel statement), and your most recent energy bills.
3. Apply for SER first — you must do this before receiving MEAP services. Apply online through MI Bridges or call 1-844-464-3447 to apply by phone or find your local MDHHS office.
4. Complete the full application. Answer all questions about your household size, income, and energy crisis situation. Submit all required documents along with your application.
5. After submitting, ask about MEAP. Once your SER application is in, you can be connected to the Michigan Energy Assistance Program for additional bill-payment help and support to keep your service on.

What to expect: After you submit a crisis application, MDHHS aims to respond within 48 hours. If approved, SER can pay heat and electric bills, deposits, and reconnection fees — up to one heat payment and one non-heat electric payment per fiscal year, subject to the SER cap. MEAP may provide additional support to help keep your service on. Benefits must be renewed annually, so watch for a renewal notice from MDHHS and reapply each year to avoid a gap in coverage. Processing times for non-crisis applications can vary, so contact MDHHS directly for an estimate.

Renewals

annual