(COLDWATER) - Consumers Energy will begin contacting senior customers who are behind on their heating bills as part of a new outreach effort this month.
The company says representatives will call customers 65 and older who owe at least $200 on their accounts on March 10 and March 12. The outreach will also include emails and postcards through the end of the month.
Officials say the goal is to help seniors enroll in payment assistance programs following a period of extreme winter cold.
To qualify for the outreach, customers must not already be enrolled in an installment plan or the CARE program. However, shut-off protections for customers age 65 and older remain in place through April 1.
Consumers Energy says seniors who want to learn more about assistance programs or the Home Heating Credit can call 1-800-477-5050 for help exploring payment options.