UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The cold winters force residents to use heat and utilities more often, causing them to spend money. To compensate for the money spent, the government is now offering home heating credits to households with lower income.

"Well basically the home heating credit is set up to allow people who have a low income to get back some of the money that they pay for utilities," said Darla Jackson, human services specialist in Meridian Township. "It actually doesn't even matter if they pay directly for their heat, or they're in subsidized housing, they're even eligible then."

The Michigan Department of Treasury is no processing Michigan Home Heating Credits for the 2012 tax year. According to the IRS, individuals may apply for a home heating credit even if they do not file a tax return.

The home heating credit is targeted toward senior citizens (age sixty and older), college students, and low-income families. The typical middle class families may not qualify.

For more information regarding home heating credits and how to apply visit www.michigan.gov/incometax.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Local residents could qualify for home heating credits. Watch Meridian Magazine for details.