Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

What is this program?

Wisconsin’s Division of Energy Services oversees the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). This includes the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program. WHEAP provides financial assistance to help eligible households pay a portion of their heating and electric energy costs. Eligible households may receive a benefit payment once per heating season (October 1 through May 15), and crisis assistance funds and help for non-operating furnaces and heating systems may also be available. The amount of the benefit payment depends on household size, income level, and energy costs. WHEAP is administered locally through county social services offices, tribal governments, and private non-profit agencies in each county in Wisconsin.

Who is eligible for this program?

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Wisconsin and you must need financial assistance with home energy costs.

A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirement. In order to qualify, you must also have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60 percent of the State Median Income. This site will give you further information, including a calculator of the maximum qualifying income based on family size.

Click here to begin the application process. If you need help completing the online application, or need to apply in-person or by phone, Walworth County residents should call Energy Services, Inc. at (262) 427-8505, Rock County residents may contact Energy Services, Inc. at (608) 363-9200, Jefferson County Residents may contact Energy Services, Inc. at (920) 568-0604.

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Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Please see the information shown below. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, may be found here. Rock & Walworth County residents should be prescreened by filling out the form that is found on the Community Action, Inc. site. Jefferson County residents should contact Energy Services, Inc. at (833) 900-9372.

The following is a press release from Gov. Evers regarding this program. It has a link that provides the household income limits depending upon the household size. Gov. Evers Announces New Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced more than $322 million in funding to help support Wisconsinites who have experienced income loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Administration (DOA), provides direct financial assistance for rent, utility, home energy costs, and wraparound services for individuals who qualify. “I’m proud of the efforts we’ve made through the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program to get folks the help they need so they don’t have to worry about losing the roofs over their heads, and this program will build on that success,” said Gov. Evers. “While we continue working to get vaccines distributed and shots in arms as soon as we have supply, these funds will be critically important providing families the stability and support they need to get through this pandemic. ”Eligible applicants include Wisconsin residents who demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability, have seen their income reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or earn a household income at or below 80 percent of the county median income. Once approved, eligible individuals may receive up to 12 months of assistance. Rental and utility assistance payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the tenant. The DOA will partner with Wisconsin Community Action agencies and Energy Services, Inc. to accept applications and distribute rental and utility assistance. Residents of Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha Counties and the cities of Madison and Milwaukee can apply directly to their local government’s rental assistance provider. “Many families face the possibility of losing the roof over their heads or having their utilities shut off because of the effects of the pandemic,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “Gov. Evers is committed to helping Wisconsin families stay in their homes and keep their heat and lights on. We are grateful to our local partners for working with DOA to distribute rental and energy assistance to Wisconsinites who need support as we put our state in the best possible position to bounce back in the coming months.” The effort is funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury. More details about the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program are available here.