Will I Get Cut Off?
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Michigan

MIModerate
10
Days notice (electric)
10
Days notice (gas)
✓
Winter moratorium
✓
Medical exemption

What to do today

If you have a shutoff notice, the date on it is the one that matters. These steps work best in this order.

  1. Call your utility before the date on your notice

    Ask for a payment plan or a deferred payment arrangement. Most states require your utility to offer one, and asking before the date is what keeps your service on. The number is on your bill.

  2. Apply for energy assistance

    LIHEAP helps with utility bills and does not have to be paid back. Call the national referral line on 1-866-674-6327 weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern, or visit energyhelp.us.

  3. Dial 211 for local help

    211 is free and connects you to local funds for utilities, rent and food. Some local agencies can pay a utility directly to stop a shutoff.

  4. Ask about medical certification

    Michigan recognises medical protections. If anyone in your home has a serious illness or relies on powered medical equipment, a note from a doctor can delay a shutoff. Ask your utility for the form today, because it usually has to be back within days.

  5. Contact the regulator if your utility will not work with you

    michigan.gov handles complaints against regulated utilities in Michigan. Filing one can pause a disconnection while it is looked at.

ElectricGasWaterMedicalLow IncomeRegulator

Electric Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days
Reconnection feeVaries by utility
Winter moratorium: Winter Protection Plan (heating season, typically November 1–March 31): utilities cannot shut off service to eligible low-income customers (household income ≤150% of poverty level, or receiving state emergency relief) during heating season if the customer pays a monthly amount equal to 7% of the estimated annual bill AND demonstrates within 14 days that they have applied for state or federal heating assistance. Households above 150% of poverty level do not qualify and can be disconnected on the standard schedule.

Major Utilities

DTE Elec Co (Detr…Consumers Energy …Upper Peninsula P…

DTE Electric Company (Detroit Edison)

Southeast Michigan and Detroit metro area; subsidiary of DTE Energy

10-day notice
Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31: income-eligible customers pay 7% of estimated annual bill/month
Medical emergency postponement up to 21 days/period, max 63 days/person/year, 126 days/household
Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq
10-day written notice required (R 460.139) by first-class mail or personal service
eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or household income ≤150% FPL (R 460.131)
Shutoff Protection Plan year-round for customers ≤200% FPL (12-month arrangement)
Assistance Programs

Low-income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP): up to $3,000 bill forgiveness over 24 months for ≤150% FPL customers with State Emergency Relief (SER) approval. Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP): year-round protection for ≤200% FPL. Residential Income Assistance (RIA) credit: $8.50/month on electric bill. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW/WRAP also applicable.

"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 20 Sep 2026.

Consumers Energy (electric)

Western and central lower peninsula of Michigan; subsidiary of CMS Energy Corp

10-day notice
Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month
Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq
10-day written notice required (R 460.139)
eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL
Shut-Off Protection Plan available year-round
Restoration by 10:30 PM if payment made by 2:00 PM same day
Assistance Programs

CARE Program: up to 24 months of assistance for customers ≤60% State Median Income (SMI). Shut-Off Protection Plan (SPP): year-round. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW. Budget billing available.

"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)

Western and central Upper Peninsula (Alger, Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft counties); approximately 52,000 customers; owned by Axium Infrastructure (acquired June 2021)

10-day notice
Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month
No reconnection fee for eligible customers during heating season
Medical emergency postponement per state rules
Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq
10-day written notice required (R 460.139)
eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL
Assistance Programs

Residential Income Assistance (RIA): $15/month bill credit for customers <150% FPL. EASE Program (UPPCO-administered). State Emergency Relief (SER). MEAP/LIHEAP. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Home Heating Credit (HHC).

"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Gas Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days
Reconnection feeVaries by utility

Major Utilities

DTE Gas Co (MichC…Consumers Energy …

DTE Gas Company (MichCon)

Southeast Michigan and portions of lower peninsula; subsidiary of DTE Energy (separate legal entity from DTE Electric Company)

10-day notice
Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31: income-eligible customers pay 7% of estimated annual bill/month
Medical emergency postponement up to 21 days/period, max 63 days/person/year
Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq
10-day written notice required (R 460.139)
eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL (R 460.131)
DTE Gas is a separate regulated entity from DTE Electric and maintains separate tariffs and customer accounts
Assistance Programs

Low-income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP): up to $3,000 bill forgiveness over 24 months for ≤150% FPL customers with SER approval. Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP): year-round for ≤200% FPL. Residential Income Assistance (RIA) credit on gas bill. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW/WRAP.

"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 20 Sep 2026.

Consumers Energy (gas)

Western and central lower peninsula of Michigan; subsidiary of CMS Energy Corp (separate gas tariff from electric service)

10-day notice
Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month
Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq
10-day written notice required (R 460.139)
Shut-Off Protection Plan available year-round
Gas service governed by separate tariff from electric service though administered under same customer accounts
Assistance Programs

CARE Program: up to 24 months assistance for ≤60% State Median Income (SMI). Shut-Off Protection Plan (SPP). LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW. Budget billing available.

"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Water Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice requiredNot regulated / varies

Major Utilities

Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL)

City of Lansing; municipal utility providing electric, water, and steam district heating services

5-day notice
Medical Alert Form available to delay disconnection
Municipal utility not regulated by MPSC for water service (PA 246 of 1995)
BWL water service governed by its own Rules and Regulations
5-day written notice required before water shutoff
Rule 15's Schedule of Fees & Charges lists the Reconnection Fee for non-pay or other disconnection at $60 per occurrence, matching the figure already on file
a separate Connect (Turn-on/turn-off) Fee of $105 (standard) or $200 (same-day) applies when initiating service rather than reconnecting after nonpayment
Separate shutoff rules apply to electric service (MPSC-regulated: 10-day notice)
Reconnection fee:$60 (water service; per Rule 15 of Rules and Regulations for Water Service)
Assistance Programs

LIHEAP. MEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program). Low-Income Energy Assist Fund. Flexible payment arrangements. Medical Alert Form for medical hardship protection.

"Lansing Board of Water & Light, Rules and Regulations for Water Service, Rule 15 (Schedule of Fees & Charges), effective 07/01/2023." lbwl.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Medical & Vulnerable Household Exemptions

Medical certification delays disconnection. Michigan statute 460.10t provides protections for households where disconnection would endanger health.

Low-Income Protections

LIHEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program / MEAP) available through MDHHS. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plans (LSP). Michigan Gas Utilities offers Winter Protection Plan for income-qualified customers.

Your State Regulator

File a complaint or get help from Michigan's utility regulator →

Data last verified: 2026-09-21. Rules may change — verify with your state regulator.