Upper Peninsula households struggling with heating bills can check eligibility for 2026-27 assistance through two regional providers. Application availability depends on program capacity and eligibility.

Superior Watershed Partnership, a grantee of the Michigan Energy Assistance Program, provides heating and electric assistance across all U.P. counties, according to its program page. Income eligibility is at or below 60% of state median income. Certain public assistance recipients may be categorically eligible, and applicants must receive electricity from a participating utility, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Energy burden measures the share of household income spent on energy. SWP’s written guidance lists benchmarks of at least 4% for electricity or 2% for heating for its Affordable Payment Plans and Home Energy Security Allowance. It says crisis payments do not require an energy burden calculation.

MEAP is funded through a charge on customers of participating electric utilities, according to the commission.

SWP lists three assistance options. Crisis payments cover urgent situations like past-due bills or low fuel tanks, with listed limits of $600 for natural gas, non-heat electricity and wood, or $900 for electric heat, fuel oil and propane. Affordable Payment Plans cap monthly utility costs at a percentage of household income for customers of Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, SEMCO Energy and Upper Peninsula Power Company.

The Home Energy Security Allowance serves eligible households whose providers do not offer a MEAP Affordable Payment Plan. Assistance depends on the household’s energy burden. SWP says households may apply up to four times per grant term.

Applications get faster processing for households that include seniors 60 and older, children under 5, individuals with disabilities, or anyone who has experienced recent homelessness, according to SWP’s guidance.

Marquette Board of Light and Power customers

Community Action Alger Marquette offers separate year-round electric and heating assistance to Marquette Board of Light and Power customers. Justin Fairbanks, a community services worker with the organization, described two options in an interview with WLUC.

“That can either be a one-time payment for a shutoff … or a budget plan where, let’s say your average usage is $100 over a month, the utility can cover up to 90% of that depending on your income,” Fairbanks said.

MBLP customers whose household income is at or below 60% of state median income may be eligible, according to the Community Action Alger Marquette website.

How to apply

Residents can reach Superior Watershed Partnership at 906-273-2742, ext. 101, or by email at [email protected]. Confirm current application availability before applying; SWP’s application guidance says its portal closes when it reaches capacity.

Households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level are encouraged to first submit an emergency application through MI Bridges, the state’s online benefits portal. Applying for State Emergency Relief first is encouraged for these households, rather than required for all MEAP applicants.

Community Action Alger Marquette applications are available through its program page. Residents who need help finding other resources can call 2-1-1.