{"id":1068,"date":"2024-04-01T15:12:45","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T19:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webtecsinc59.sg-host.com\/?page_id=1068"},"modified":"2025-05-01T10:04:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T14:04:54","slug":"utility-assistance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/caa\/utility-assistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Utility Assistance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_class=&#8221;wt-grey-curve-bg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;_initial&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#EFF2F5&#8243; background_enable_image=&#8221;off&#8221; global_module=&#8221;12222&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;_initial&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Page Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;content&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][dipl_breadcrumb breadcrumb_layout=&#8221;layout2&#8243; separator_text=&#8221;\/&#8221; separator_color=&#8221;#8fa7c5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/dipl_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;7ca35439-cb06-4e1d-ace8-681437cfea37&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Struggling with your utility bill? Don\u2019t wait\u2014help is here. The sooner you apply and submit your documents, the sooner we can get started.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;dddbc4a1-cc28-4980-8884-d41378394cd6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Assistance is available for heat, electricity, water, and deliverable fuels\u2014whether you\u2019re trying to prevent a shutoff or restore service. Ottawa County Community Action Agency partners with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and utility providers to find solutions that support you while you work toward self-sufficiency. Eligibility determinations are made by MDHHS in most cases, and the process takes at least three days. How to apply:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"steps\">\n<li>Gather your documents needed for the MDHHS State Emergency Relief (SER) funds application and the for the OCCAA pre-screening application:\n<ul>\n<li>Photo ID<\/li>\n<li>Proof of household income for the past 30 days<\/li>\n<li>Past due or shut-off notice from the\u00a0utility company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Complete an <a href=\"https:\/\/newmibridges.michigan.gov\/s\/isd-landing-page?language=en_US\"><strong>online application<\/strong>\u00a0and be approved for the\u00a0MDHHS State Emergency Relief<\/a> (SER) funds. Choose Ottawa County Community Action Agency (OCCAA) as your referral partner.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the OCCAA <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.empoworbycsst.com\/Public\/ClientAccessForm.aspx?AccessID=b00415aa-46b5-434b-b9dd-357dec389322\">pre-screening online application<\/a><\/strong>.\n<ul>\n<li>Complete demographics for yourself and the members of your household.<\/li>\n<li>Review and agree to a consent statement.<\/li>\n<li>Answer questions about your past and current needs and household income.<\/li>\n<li>Upload the requested documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Check your email regularly. Once your pre-screening is approved, you will need to make an appointment. If you do not have an email address, be sure to answer unknown phone numbers and check your voicemail regularly.<\/li>\n<li>Gather your documents for your appointment:\n<ul>\n<li>MDHHS determination letter<\/li>\n<li>Proof of household size (full name, birthdate, and full social security number for everyone in the household)<\/li>\n<li>Photo ID and full social security number from the\u00a0applicant<\/li>\n<li>Past due or shut-off notice from the\u00a0utility company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Come to our office at your scheduled meeting time with all the required documentation. We do not accept walk-ins.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;66daad78-247d-4785-9e92-8d0e7d8887f1&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_module=&#8221;12221&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Need help applying? Call (616) 393-4433 or <a href=\"mailto:info.occaa@miottawa.org\">email<\/a> our office.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em>This program is funded by a variety of grants and the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/caa\/walk-for-warmth\/\">Walk for Warmth<\/a> event. Assistance is subject to the availability of funds. Guidelines will vary.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bills.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Woman on phone looking at bills.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Bills&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"et_pb_module dipl_breadcrumb dipl_breadcrumb_0\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_module_inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dipl-breadcrumb-wrapper layout2\">\n\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"dipl-breadcrumb-inner\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\" data-icon=\"&#x24;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"breadcrumb-item dipl-home-page\" href=\"https:\/\/miottawa.org\" property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"breadcrumb-page\" property=\"name\">Home<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Struggling with your utility bill? Don\u2019t wait\u2014help is here. The sooner you apply and submit your documents, the sooner we can get started.Assistance is available for heat, electricity, water, and deliverable fuels\u2014whether you\u2019re trying to prevent a shutoff or restore service. Ottawa County Community Action Agency partners with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":238,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1068","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1068"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26884,"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068\/revisions\/26884"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}