MEAP tripled its per-meter surcharge, expanded eligibility from 150% FPL to 60% of state median income, and added auto-enrollment for SNAP/WIC recipients — all while electrification remains voluntary.
MEAP surcharge & projected collection
$1.25/mo
Current per-meter surcharge (FY2026). Projected to generate ~$75M/year — 50% above the prior $50M cap.
FY2025 assistance: 56,018 households
$40.6M
Total direct payments: affordable payment plans ($23.7M, 29K households) + as-needed assistance ($16.9M, 17K households).
Eligibility expansion (PA 168-170, 198 of 2024)
Before Reform
Income: 150% of federal poverty level
Family of 4: ~$48,000
Enrollment: Application required
Timing: Crisis-only (must face shutoff)
Funding: ~$50M/yr (ran out by April)
→
After Reform (FY2026)
Income: 60% of state median income
Family of 4: ~$70,000
Enrollment: Auto via SNAP, WIC, SER, HHC
Timing: Crisis requirement removed
Funding: ~$75M/yr, phased increase over 4 yrs
"The most targeted and effective solution for advancing home energy security is a monthly subsidy tailored to household income and usage for income-qualified customers."
— MPSC Staff, Energy Affordability Report (Case No. U-20757), Sept 2025. PIP pilots running at DTE (U-20929) and Consumers (U-21021).
Sources: $0.87 surcharge — Annual Report p.28. $1.25 surcharge — Annual Report p.29. $50M prior cap / ~$75M projected — Annual Report p.30. ~$90M phased target — transcript analysis (proposed increase per PA 168-170; not yet confirmed in published orders). 56,018 households / $40.6M — Annual Report Table 4, p.29. Eligibility — Annual Report p.29 (PA 168-170, 198 of 2024). Ran out by April — transcript analysis, Superior Watershed podcast. Staff quote — transcript analysis, Case No. U-20757.