Winter Heating Assistance Available

As the temperature drops and heating costs rise in Wisconsin, chances are you or someone you know may be eligible for assistance. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) helps approximately 225,000 eligible households pay a portion of their home heating and electric costs annually. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs.  

Who's Eligible:

While eligibility is dependent on a number of factors, households with income at or below 60% of the Wisconsin state median income (as shown below) may be eligible to receive assistance. 

 

A few notes about WHEAP energy assistance:

• It's a one-time yearly benefit payment made during the heating season (October 1 – May 15).
• In most cases the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
• You do not have to pay the money back.
• It is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating your home.

 

In addition to heating assistance, WHEAP also provides:

• Electric Assistance to help eligible households pay a portion of non-heating electric energy costs.
• Crisis Assistance to eligible households that have no heat, received a disconnect notice from their heating fuel dealer, or are nearly out of heating fuel and do not have any way to pay for their heating needs. Proactive non-emergency assistance is also available through the entire year to avoid future emergencies.
• Furnace Assistance to eligible home owners if the furnace or boiler stops working during the heating season.

 

For more information on WHEAP and how to apply, click here or call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947)