Michigan residents can now apply for the Home Heating Tax Credit for the coming winter.

Madeleine March-Meenagh with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan tells us the credit helps low income Michiganders pay their heating bills, and the way to apply is to file your taxes.

“One thing that’s important to know about the Home Heating Credit is that it’s a use it or lose it credit,” March-Meenagh said. “So unlike other tax credits where you might be able to look back a few years, if you don’t apply for the credit in that given tax year, then you’re not able to take advantage of the benefits.”

March-Meenagh says there’s only so much in the state budget each year for the Home Heating Tax Credit, so if you miss out on it, the opportunity is gone.

“One of the biggest helps that people have noted is that they’re able to qualify for automatic credits from their energy providers.”

Over the last five years, the average qualifying household received $209 in assistance, which is most often applied directly to residents’ utility bills — as is an additional automatic credit from some energy providers worth up to $20 per month.

March-Meenagh says now is the time to apply because the deadline is September 30. Call 211 or go to MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org to get started.