Renters and homeowners in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township who qualify for Michigan's Home Heating Tax Credit have until Wednesday, Sept. 30, to file a claim or lose the benefit entirely.
The credit averaged $171 per qualifying household in 2025 and is most often applied directly to utility bills. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the deadline Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to a Sept. 1 MDHHS announcement.
The credit cannot be claimed retroactively.
Miss the deadline, and the money is gone.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer promoted the credit as part of the announcement, urging eligible residents to file before the end of September. Amy Epkey, acting MDHHS director, said the stakes are straightforward: "If residents do not file by the end of September, they cannot claim the credit later."
Who qualifies
To be eligible, Michigan residents must be either a renter with a contracted lease or a homeowner and must meet income requirements. The MDHHS announcement did not list specific income thresholds. Residents can check eligibility at MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org or by calling 211.
Additional benefits
Some energy providers automatically give claimants a residential income assistance credit worth up to $20 per month on top of the base credit. Food assistance recipients who are seniors, disabled or veterans and receive a Home Heating Credit of more than $20 may also qualify for increased benefits.
How to file
The state recommends filing through Michigan's free tax preparation services. Oakland County residents can schedule an appointment through United Way for Southeastern Michigan and its partners, Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro. Community Action Agencies also connect residents with nearby sites.
Three ways to find free help:
- Call 211
- Text 898211
- Visit MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org
The filing deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 30.
