Residential Payment Assistance
If you need assistance paying your electric bill, assistance may be available through DHHS and you can apply through the MIBRIDGES website: MIBRIDGES Link
If you need help applying, you can also contact one of the following navigational partners:
Superior Watershed Partnership
906-273-2742
Alger Marquette Community Action Board
906-228-6522
Salvation Army
906-228-2241
If you are seeking assistance
Apply to DHHS First
Available until October 31st, 2022
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 234 W. Baraga Avenue 1st Floor, Marquette 1-844-464-3447
** Must get approval or denial from DHHS before applying with the following organizations:
Superior Watershed Partnership 401 E. Fair Avenue, Lakeview Arena, Marquette 906-273-2742
Community Action Alger-Marquette (AMCAB) 1125 Commerce Drive, Marquette 906-228-6522 ext. 206
St. Vincent de Paul Society 2119 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette 906-226-3840
The Salvation Army 1009 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette 906-226-2241
Marquette Senior Center 300 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette 906-228-0456 (budgeting and resource assistance for senior citizens)
Available starting November 1st, 2022
Generating Change – MBLP Program Apply through: The Salvation Army 1009 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette 906-226-2241
Residential Payment Arrangements
If you receive a past due bill and are not able to pay that amount by
the due date listed, we offer payment arrangements. Payment Arrangements are available by contacting our collections specialist at (906) 228-0311.
GATEKEEPER PROGRAM
MBLP joined the Gatekeeper Program in 2015 working with the Commission on Services to the Aging (CSA) and the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA). This year marks the 30th Year of the Gatekeeper Program in Michigan.
Noreen Collins, MBLP's Program Coordinator trains our employees to identify and refer older adults who appear to have problems that may place them at-risk of hospitalization and/or premature out of home placement. These elders may have little or no support system to act on their behalf and may experience serious difficulties that compromise their ability to live independently.
Once a senior citizen is identified as a possible at-risk, home dwelling older adult, we begin the process of contacting the customer and with their permission, contact other local agencies who can assist them. Some of the services that could possibly be available to them is help with paying bills and budgeting, grocery shopping, meal preparation, home delivered meals, transportation to doctor appointments or shopping, housekeeping services, personal care services, medicare/medicaid assistance and legal and safety issues.
What Do Employees Look For?
Employees look for signs of distress in communication, economic condition, social condition, emotional health, personal appearance, physical limitations and condition of the home. Below are descriptions of some situations, symptoms, and behaviors that may indicate a referral is needed if they see signs of:
- significant deterioration in personal appearance, including dirty clothing, clothing not appropriate to the weather/season, missing articles of clothing, i.e., pants, shoes, etc.
- dilapidated and dangerous exterior/interior home environment, serious hoarding that creates safety issues, calendar on the wrong month or year, little or no food, strong foul orders, many pets, numerous empty alcohol containers.
- confusion, disorientation, inappropriate verbal/non-verbal responses, forgetfulness, repeating information, feelings of hopelessness/suicide.
- significant hearing/eyesight impairment, limited mobility/inability to get food, etc., acute physical illness, numerous medication bottles.
How Gatekeepers Benefit Those in Need?
Many older adults live alone and have little contact with others. If they become ill or unable to function independently, they easily can go unnoticed and unattended. A trained gatekeeper can be the eyes and ears of a neighborhood, linking older adult customers who need and want assistance with available services.
Once a concern is realized, a Gatekeeper referral is submitted, which initiates a contact to the appropriate agency, such as a local Area Agency on Aging. Once the agency responds, they report the outcome back to the utility company and document it on the referral. Referrals are sent monthly to OSA and reviewed by staff.
Over the past 30 years, thousands of Michigan’s senior citizens have been referred to the program. This has allowed many of them to receive assistance with essential, often life-sustaining services, allowing them to age in place, and live a happier, healthier life. The Gatekeeper Program’s continued success in our state demonstrates the dedication and commitment from the CSA, OSA, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, MBLP and their employees to improve the quality of life for Michigan’s older adults.