Michigan Energy Assistance Program

You may have noticed that the weather is getting colder, and there are a good number of people in Washtenaw County struggling to pay heating bills. Michigan residents have long relied on the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) for utility bill assistance. MEAP provides funds to help low-income households afford energy costs and avoid harmful shutoffs, but many of the working poor can’t qualify. But there are efforts to change that in the state Legislature. Charles English from the United Way for Southeastern Michigan joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss all of that.

What do you do in the cold of winter if you can't pay your heating bill? Sadly, thousands in the area face that crisis question. There are some resources available, and, on "Washtenaw United," you'll learn how to tap into them. Sean Scane is director of utility assistance with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. He joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest information on the growing need for assistance and the efforts to expand the Michigan Energy Assistance Program.