Struggling with heating costs? Consumers Energy can help

Consumers Energy is offering assistance to customers struggling to pay their heating bills this winter.

The energy provider's Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE) program is now accepting applications, according to a community announcement.

CARE is a 24-month payment plan that offers qualifying customers a fixed monthly bill and helps pay down past due balances.

How to apply for CARE

To qualify for CARE, customers must be Consumers Energy electric or gas customers, meet household income guidelines at or below 60% of the state median income, have no unaddressed theft, fraud or bankruptcy and the account address must be the applicant's primary residence or a responsible third party authorized to apply on the customer's behalf.

Customers who are already receiving some other fo