Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
PROGRAM BEGINS OCTOBER 1, 2026 – Applications cannot be submitted or processed before October 1<\/strong>.<\/h2>\nAssistance is not automatic. Customers must apply through The Salvation Army and meet the program\u2019s eligibility requirements to receive assistance.<\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nLow-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF)<\/strong><\/h2>\nEffective September 1, 2026<\/strong>, the monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF) surcharge will increase to $1.50 per electric meter<\/strong>.<\/p>\nBeginning October 1, 2026<\/strong>, Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) will administer a local energy assistance program in partnership with The Salvation Army<\/strong>. Under this new program, LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will stay in our community rather than being pooled for statewide administration.<\/strong> This allows the funds collected from our customers to directly benefit eligible households served by TCLP and help more local families with their energy needs.<\/p>\nIn addition to providing assistance with TCLP electric bills, the program will also provide assistance toward home heating costs, allowing qualifying households to receive support for both essential energy needs through one local program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nWhat is LIEAF?<\/h3>\n
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF) is a state-mandated program that provides financial assistance to income-eligible households to help pay electric bills and prevent service disconnections.<\/p>\n
Beginning October 1, 2026, the LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will be used to assist income-eligible TCLP customers<\/strong>, ensuring that the money collected from our community stays in our community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nLIEAF Surcharge<\/h4>\n\n- Purpose:<\/strong> To help income-eligible households maintain electric and home heating service and avoid disconnection.<\/li>\n
- Amount:<\/strong> $1.50 per electric meter, per month<\/li>\n
- Effective:<\/strong> September 1, 2026<\/li>\n
- Bill Appearance:<\/strong> Energy Assistance \u2013 Public Act 169<\/li>\n
- Where the Funds Go:<\/strong> Rather than being distributed through a statewide program, the LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will remain in our community<\/strong>. Working with The Salvation Army, TCLP will use these funds to provide assistance to income-eligible customers with both their electric and home heating costs, ensuring more of the money collected locally directly benefits local households.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Who Qualifies for Assistance?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTo qualify for assistance, applicants must:<\/p>\n
\n- Meet the current state income eligibility guidelines (up to 60% of the State Median Income based on household size)<\/li>\n
- Be a Michigan resident<\/li>\n
- Have an active TCLP electric account in their name<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You do not<\/strong> need to be past due on your electric bill to apply for assistance.<\/p>\nCurrent Income Eligibility Table:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Bill-Message-Window-3-300x251.png\")
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nHow to Apply for Assistance<\/strong><\/h2>\nBeginning October 1, 2026<\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\nApply through: <\/o:p>The Salvation Army \u2013 Traverse City<\/b><\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Applications are available through The Salvation Army<\/strong> 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City, MI 49686. Phone: 231-946-4644
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- The Salvation Army will review applications, determine eligibility, and administer assistance on behalf of TCLP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Documents You May Need<\/o:p><\/b><\/h4>\nApplicants should be prepared to provide:<\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Verification of household income
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Photo identification
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Social Security cards (or other acceptable identification)
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Current electric bill
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Proof of residency
<\/o:p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAdditional documentation may be requested during the eligibility review.<\/span><\/p>\nAdditional State Resources\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- MI Bridges<\/a>:<\/strong> Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) and other benefits<\/li>\n
- Michigan 2-1-1<\/a>:<\/strong> Connect with local assistance agencies<\/li>\n
- MEAP Program Information:<\/a><\/strong> Overview of current state LIEAF benefits and eligibility<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Types of Assistance Available<\/strong><\/h3>\nDepending on eligibility and available funding, TCLP’s LIEAF program may provide assistance toward:<\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Electric bills
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Home heating bills
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Maintaining electric service
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Preventing an energy account from becoming past due
<\/o:p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe program is intended to help eligible households maintain access to essential energy services and address energy needs before they become an emergency<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF)<\/strong><\/h2>\nEffective September 1, 2026<\/strong>, the monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF) surcharge will increase to $1.50 per electric meter<\/strong>.<\/p>\nBeginning October 1, 2026<\/strong>, Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) will administer a local energy assistance program in partnership with The Salvation Army<\/strong>. Under this new program, LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will stay in our community rather than being pooled for statewide administration.<\/strong> This allows the funds collected from our customers to directly benefit eligible households served by TCLP and help more local families with their energy needs.<\/p>\nIn addition to providing assistance with TCLP electric bills, the program will also provide assistance toward home heating costs, allowing qualifying households to receive support for both essential energy needs through one local program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nWhat is LIEAF?<\/h3>\n
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF) is a state-mandated program that provides financial assistance to income-eligible households to help pay electric bills and prevent service disconnections.<\/p>\n
Beginning October 1, 2026, the LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will be used to assist income-eligible TCLP customers<\/strong>, ensuring that the money collected from our community stays in our community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nLIEAF Surcharge<\/h4>\n\n- Purpose:<\/strong> To help income-eligible households maintain electric and home heating service and avoid disconnection.<\/li>\n
- Amount:<\/strong> $1.50 per electric meter, per month<\/li>\n
- Effective:<\/strong> September 1, 2026<\/li>\n
- Bill Appearance:<\/strong> Energy Assistance \u2013 Public Act 169<\/li>\n
- Where the Funds Go:<\/strong> Rather than being distributed through a statewide program, the LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will remain in our community<\/strong>. Working with The Salvation Army, TCLP will use these funds to provide assistance to income-eligible customers with both their electric and home heating costs, ensuring more of the money collected locally directly benefits local households.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Who Qualifies for Assistance?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTo qualify for assistance, applicants must:<\/p>\n
\n- Meet the current state income eligibility guidelines (up to 60% of the State Median Income based on household size)<\/li>\n
- Be a Michigan resident<\/li>\n
- Have an active TCLP electric account in their name<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You do not<\/strong> need to be past due on your electric bill to apply for assistance.<\/p>\nCurrent Income Eligibility Table:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nHow to Apply for Assistance<\/strong><\/h2>\nBeginning October 1, 2026<\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\nApply through: <\/o:p>The Salvation Army \u2013 Traverse City<\/b><\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Applications are available through The Salvation Army<\/strong> 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City, MI 49686. Phone: 231-946-4644
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- The Salvation Army will review applications, determine eligibility, and administer assistance on behalf of TCLP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Documents You May Need<\/o:p><\/b><\/h4>\nApplicants should be prepared to provide:<\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Verification of household income
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Photo identification
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Social Security cards (or other acceptable identification)
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Current electric bill
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Proof of residency
<\/o:p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAdditional documentation may be requested during the eligibility review.<\/span><\/p>\nAdditional State Resources\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- MI Bridges<\/a>:<\/strong> Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) and other benefits<\/li>\n
- Michigan 2-1-1<\/a>:<\/strong> Connect with local assistance agencies<\/li>\n
- MEAP Program Information:<\/a><\/strong> Overview of current state LIEAF benefits and eligibility<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Types of Assistance Available<\/strong><\/h3>\nDepending on eligibility and available funding, TCLP’s LIEAF program may provide assistance toward:<\/o:p><\/p>\n\n- Electric bills
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Home heating bills
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Maintaining electric service
<\/o:p><\/li>\n- Preventing an energy account from becoming past due
<\/o:p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe program is intended to help eligible households maintain access to essential energy services and address energy needs before they become an emergency<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Beginning October 1, 2026<\/strong>, Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) will administer a local energy assistance program in partnership with The Salvation Army<\/strong>. Under this new program, LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will stay in our community rather than being pooled for statewide administration.<\/strong> This allows the funds collected from our customers to directly benefit eligible households served by TCLP and help more local families with their energy needs.<\/p>\n In addition to providing assistance with TCLP electric bills, the program will also provide assistance toward home heating costs, allowing qualifying households to receive support for both essential energy needs through one local program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF) is a state-mandated program that provides financial assistance to income-eligible households to help pay electric bills and prevent service disconnections.<\/p>\n Beginning October 1, 2026, the LIEAF funds collected from TCLP customers will be used to assist income-eligible TCLP customers<\/strong>, ensuring that the money collected from our community stays in our community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n To qualify for assistance, applicants must:<\/p>\n You do not<\/strong> need to be past due on your electric bill to apply for assistance.<\/p>\n Current Income Eligibility Table:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> Beginning October 1, 2026 Apply through: Applicants should be prepared to provide: Additional documentation may be requested during the eligibility review.<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on eligibility and available funding, TCLP’s LIEAF program may provide assistance toward: The program is intended to help eligible households maintain access to essential energy services and address energy needs before they become an emergency<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat is LIEAF?<\/h3>\n
LIEAF Surcharge<\/h4>\n
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Who Qualifies for Assistance?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow to Apply for Assistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Documents You May Need
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Additional State Resources\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Types of Assistance Available<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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