(1) Subject to state appropriations, not later than October 1, 2013, the department shall establish and administer the Michigan energy assistance program statewide to provide energy assistance to eligible low-income households.

    (2) The department may use funds received from a federal energy assistance program and any funds collected or appropriated to fund the program. The department shall distribute the funds described in this subsection for energy assistance and may use a portion of the funds for necessary administrative expenses. Necessary administrative expenses shall be calculated using an established cost allocation methodology.

    (3) Energy assistance must include services that will enable participants to become or move toward becoming self-sufficient, including assisting participants in paying their energy bills on time, assisting participants in budgeting for and contributing to their ability to provide for energy expenses, and assisting participants in utilizing energy services to optimize on energy efficiency. By October 1, 2014, each entity that carries out a contract with the department under this section shall provide or coordinate these services. The department shall attempt to coordinate its efforts with the efforts of other state departments or agencies to assist low-income households in becoming or moving toward becoming self-sufficient.

    (4) The department shall develop a simplified, single application for all applicants to use to apply for energy assistance under the program. The single application shall be made available to all entities that contract with the department to provide services under the program.

    (5) Not later than December 1, 2014, and annually after that, the department shall provide a report to the legislature, the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on the department budget, the senate and house committees on issues relating to energy, and the senate and house fiscal agencies on how money from the program created in this act was distributed.