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 Payments to residential landlords, residential management companies, billing service agencies, or collection agencies are not eligible to receive emergency service or MEAP funds, as they are not the actual service provider. Examples of third-party billing companies who are not eligible providers include: o Universal Utilities o D & B Billing Services o Electrical Inspection Company o Infinity Billing Enterprises Exception: Accounts that have gone to collections can be paid if the collections department is one within the original utility provider, for example DTE’s collections department. If the account has been turned over to an outside collection agency, then the bill is not able to be paid with MEAP funds. Exception: Utility bills that are in the landlord’s name only if the payment is made directly to the utility, and if there is documentation stating that the client is responsible for the utility bill.  Energy services when the usage is in violation of the federal law Example: A client has requested assistance for an electric shut off which includes costs associated to manufacturing “medical” marijuana. The client is not eligible for MEAP since federal law, 21 U.S.C. 841(a) prohibits the manufacturing of marijuana.  Secondary household fuel types: Payment may only be approved for the primary heating source  Utility cut and cap fees/meter relocation fees  If a MEAP Grantee authorizes deliverable fuel services and the provider discovers the client’s tank is over 25%, the client/applicant is responsible for any costs incurred 4.3.1 LATE FEES In compliance with R460.125(1) of the Michigan Administrative Rules, Grantee must ensure that MEAP funds are not used to pay late payment fees assessed by regulated utilities* and included on client’s monthly heating bills. R460.125(1) states, “[a] utility shall not assess a late payment charge against a customer whose payments are made by the department of human services or who is participating in a shut off protection program. . ..” MEAP funds can be used to cover late fees associated with non-regulated utilities. Any fees on an invoice for deliverable fuel must be clearly identified. Administrative fees (fees for processing paperwork for a MEAP recipient) are not allowed and should be reported to MPSC. Example of DTE Energy ORA Statement Late Fee See Appendix L Example of SEMCO Bill - Late Fee. See Appendix M Example of Consumers CEPASS Statement – Late Fee. See Appendix N *See the MPSC website for regulated and unregulated electric and natural gas utilities.