DETROIT (WWJ) – DTE Energy is holding a customer assistance forum on Thursday for people who need help  tackling their energy bills.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Carolyn MacKool, DTE’s director of customer assistance program management.

“We do feel that our customers are really experiencing some tough times. And we felt it was important that we go out to them and try and provide solutions,” she said.

“Our community, as a whole, faces a pretty significant problem. And, I would say, has it gotten worse? I would say absolutely, as the state of Michigan’s economy has struggled,” MacKool said.

She said DTE offers several different payment programs and budget plans, and can also connect customers with assistance agencies.

In 2010, 250,000 people reportedly needed some sort of assistance in getting their bills paid.

The program runs between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and later between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.,  at Wayne County Community College’s eastern campus, on Conner, on Detroit’s east side.