MPSC issues request for proposals as state expands eligibility and funding for Michigan Energy Assistance Program

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As Michigan's system for assisting low-income households with energy assistance continues to expand and provide help to more families, the Michigan Public Service Commission issued a request for proposals (RFP) from agencies that can administer funding and provision of services under the Michigan Energy Assistance Program.

The MPSC issued a notice of funding opportunity and the RFP seeking qualifications, workplans, and budgets for the administration of about $93 million in MEAP and federal funding and provision of services to assist income-eligible households reduce energy insecurity and resolve home energy crisis situations. Eligible applicants for one-year grants must be a nonprofit organization, a unit of local or state government or a Tribal government.

The RFP comes as the state continues its expansion of energy assistance for income-qualified Michiganders. Lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved legislation in 2024 expanding the income eligibility threshold for Michigan households to receive MEAP support and the amount that may be raised for it each year.

Last month, the Commission set the Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund funding factor at $1.50 per electric meter, starting with the September 2026 billing month (Case No. U-17377). Each billing meter for customers of participating utilities will be assessed $1.50, no more than one meter per household. Proceeds pay for MEAP energy assistance and self-sufficiency services.

Before 2024, LIEAF was capped at no more than $1 per meter, with a maximum limit of funding the surcharge could raise set at $50 million. The 2024 law eliminated the funding cap and permitted the funding factor to be raised by 25 cents each year until hitting a new maximum of $2, subject to adjustments for inflation.

The expanded MEAP funding, combined with $5 million in federal Home Energy Assistance Program, is estimated to provide energy security for a year for about 90,000 Michigan households, up from an average of about 50,000 households yearly before the 2024 MEAP expansion.

The MEAP RFP and further information about it are available at Further information about the RFP is available at the MPSC's MEAP webpage.

A pre-proposal meeting on Microsoft Teams will be held May 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon. Grant proposals must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. June 12, 2026. The anticipated announcement of grant awards will be in August 2026.

The MPSC serves as an expert, impartial regulator committed to consumer protection, fairness and transparency. For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

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