Contact: UPPCO (906) 449-2013
The Winter Protection Plan protects enrolled seniors (age 65 and older) and low-income customers whose annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, from service shutoffs and high utility bill payments during the heating season (November 1 through March 31).
Who is eligible?
You may qualify for protection and enroll if you receive any of the following services:
- Receive Michigan Department of Health and Human Services cash assistance including Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Food Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Meet annual income guidelines (see below)
Income-eligible customers must pay at least seven percent of their estimated annual bill each month during the protection period. If an arrearage exists at the time you apply for shutoff protection, you must pay the arrearage in equal monthly installments between the date you apply and the start of the next heating season.
If a customer is income eligible and their utility service was shut off before applying for shutoff protection, UPPCO cannot require a fee, a security deposit, or an amount greater than one–twelfth of the arrearage in order to restore service or participate in the program.
All customers 65 or older are eligible regardless of income. However, you are responsible for all service used. At the end of the protection period, all customers must arrange to pay the outstanding bills before the next heating season. If you are a senior citizen whose utility service may have been shut off before applying for the Winter Protection Program, UPPCO must restore your service during the heating season without any payments. Although no specific payments are required during the heating season, seniors are encouraged to pay what they can to avoid large payments when the protection period ends.
Participation does not relieve you from the responsibility for paying for electricity usage but does prevent a shutoff during the winter months. At the end of the protection period, both income-qualified customers and senior customers participating in the plan must arrange with UPPCO to pay any money owed before the start of the next protection period.
Note: Winter shutoff protections do not apply to customers whose power has been shut off, or who have a pending shutoff, due to unauthorized utility service within the past 2 years at the customer's current address. This applies until all charges are paid or until the customer makes satisfactory payment arrangements with UPPCO.