Consumers Energy Offers Heating Credit to Help Customers Save on Energy Bills

The Michigan Home Heating Credit provides an average benefit of nearly $200 to eligible households.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Consumers Energy is urging customers to apply for the Michigan Home Heating Credit as tax season begins. The credit, which offers an average benefit of nearly $200, can help families manage heating expenses from the previous year. Consumers Energy is also providing $5 million in assistance to nonprofit organizations to help people with their energy bills.

Why it matters

With rising costs across various sectors, the heating credit can provide much-needed financial relief to low-income households in Michigan. Consumers Energy's outreach and assistance efforts aim to support customers who may be struggling to pay their energy bills, especially after the recent record cold snap.

The details

The Home Heating Credit, also known as MI-1040CR-7, is provided by the State of Michigan to help families recover heating costs from the previous year. People are eligible if their income is at or below 110% of the federal poverty level, or $35,365 for a family of four, and customers do not need to file taxes to receive the credit. Consumers Energy is also helping customers connect with free tax preparation services through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites to get an 'inside track' to the credit.

  • The Home Heating Credit is available as tax season begins in 2026.
  • Consumers Energy provided $5 million in assistance to nonprofit organizations last month.

The players

Consumers Energy

A Michigan-based utility company that is encouraging customers to apply for the Home Heating Credit and providing $5 million in assistance to nonprofit organizations to help people with their energy bills.

Lauren Snyder

Consumers Energy's senior vice president and chief customer and growth officer, who stated the company's priority is to provide connections to resources that make a difference for customers.

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What they’re saying

“We know many people are concerned about rising costs across the board, so it's our priority to provide connections to dollars and resources that make a difference every day. We are here to connect you with help now and all through the year.”

— Lauren Snyder, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Growth Officer, Consumers Energy (9and10news.com)

“Whether it's the Home Heating Credit or other programs, no one has to go it alone when facing hardship. We want people to know Consumers Energy and so many others are standing with our friends and neighbors, supporting them no matter the situation.”

— Lauren Snyder, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Growth Officer, Consumers Energy (9and10news.com)

What’s next

Consumers Energy is identifying customers whose bills may be most affected by the recent record cold snap and planning more direct outreach to help them make payments and reduce energy use to lower future bills.

The takeaway

Consumers Energy's efforts to promote the Michigan Home Heating Credit and provide additional financial assistance demonstrate the company's commitment to supporting its customers, especially those facing economic hardship, and ensuring they have access to resources that can help manage their energy costs.