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Wisconsin utility assistance
Last updated: October 9, 2026
If you are an older Wisconsin resident struggling with heat, electricity, water, or a past-due bill, start with the route that matches today’s problem. Wisconsin offers energy assistance, crisis help, payment plans, shutoff protections, weatherization, heating-system help, and utility-specific debt programs. Your best route depends on income, provider, location, and whether service is already at risk.
Bottom Line
For most low-income Wisconsin households, the first statewide step is the Wisconsin energy assistance program, commonly called WHEAP. For the 2026–2027 program year, households at or below 60% of Wisconsin’s state median income may qualify. If you have no heat or electricity, are nearly out of fuel, or face an imminent shutoff, call 1-866-432-8947 instead of waiting for an online application to be reviewed.
If the utility problem is part of a larger financial crisis, the GFS Wisconsin senior assistance guide can help you check other state programs at the same time.
Need Help Right Now?
No heat, no electricity, almost out of fuel, or shutoff coming soon: Call the statewide Home Energy Plus information line at 1-866-432-8947. Wisconsin says crisis assistance may be available when a household has no heat, is nearly out of fuel, or electricity has been or will soon be shut off. Local WHEAP agencies also maintain crisis coverage for after-hours emergencies.
Disconnection could create a medical emergency: Call the utility immediately and say that a medical or protective-services emergency is involved. Wisconsin utility rules allow a shutoff delay of up to 21 days when disconnection would aggravate such an emergency, and the utility may require professional documentation.
For other urgent needs such as food, rent, shelter, or transportation while you deal with the utility problem, use the GFS Wisconsin emergency assistance guide.
Start Here
- If service is off or threatened: call 1-866-432-8947 and your utility the same day.
- If you can still keep up for now: submit the Home Energy Plus application or contact your local WHEAP agency.
- If the bill is already past due: ask your utility for a payment agreement and any utility-specific hardship or arrears program while the WHEAP application is being handled.
Which Route Fits Your Problem?
| Problem | Best first route | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Heating or electric bill is too high | WHEAP | Regular help covers part of eligible energy costs, not the full annual bill. |
| No heat, low fuel, or shutoff threat | WHEAP crisis help | Call 1-866-432-8947 immediately if the situation is urgent. |
| Past-due utility balance | Utility payment plan | Some utilities also have arrears or hardship programs. |
| Furnace or main heating system failed | HE+ HVAC services | Year-round help may include repair or replacement for eligible households. |
| Home wastes energy | Weatherization | A WHEAP application can lead to a weatherization referral. |
| Water bill is past due | Water utility and local aid | The old federal LIHWAP program is no longer an active national benefit. |
WHEAP Is Wisconsin’s Main Energy-Bill Program
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and electric costs. It combines federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding with Wisconsin Public Benefits funding. It is a household program, not a senior-only benefit, so age alone does not qualify someone.
The regular benefit is a one-time payment meant to cover a portion of energy costs. The amount is not a flat senior benefit. Wisconsin considers factors such as household size, income, and energy costs. The state also warns that benefits are not guaranteed when program-year funds are exhausted.
Wisconsin’s online application portal accepts energy-assistance applications year-round. Applications made during the heating season, October 1 through May 15, are considered for the regular one-time payment. Applications outside that heating-season window may be considered for other assistance if funds are available.
Local administration matters
WHEAP is delivered through local agencies, including county, Tribal, community, and other contracted providers. Use the state’s county and Tribe map to find the office serving your location.
Wisconsin also has an unusual utility-system detail: some municipal utilities and electric cooperatives operate their own Commitment to Community program instead of participating in the state Public Benefits fund. If your utility is in that group, some state-funded electric or weatherization benefits may not apply in the usual way. Ask your utility which low-income program serves its customers rather than assuming a denial means no help exists.
WHEAP Income Limits for 2026–2027
For the program year running October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, Wisconsin says households at or below 60% of state median income may qualify. The current published limits are:
| Household size | One-month income | Annual income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,322.00 | $39,864 |
| 2 | $4,344.08 | $52,129 |
| 3 | $5,366.25 | $64,395 |
| 4 | $6,388.42 | $76,661 |
| 5 | $7,410.58 | $88,927 |
| 6 | $8,432.75 | $101,193 |
| 7 | $8,624.33 | $103,492 |
| 8 | $8,816.00 | $105,792 |
These are screening limits, not approval promises. If your household is larger than eight people, or your income changes from month to month, ask the local WHEAP office to calculate the current limit and the income period it will use.
Wisconsin Shutoff Protections Can Buy Time
Wisconsin utility rules give residential customers important shutoff protections, but they do not erase the bill. Use protected time to apply for aid and arrange payment.
| Protection | Current rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Winter heating protection | A utility service that provides or affects the home’s primary heat cannot be disconnected for nonpayment from November 1 through April 15. | Still contact the utility and WHEAP. Debt can remain and collection activity can resume later. |
| Medical or protective emergency | A shutoff may be delayed for up to 21 days if disconnection would aggravate a documented emergency. | Tell the utility immediately and ask what documentation it requires. |
| Extreme heat | Electric or water service to an occupied dwelling may not be disconnected while a National Weather Service heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency is in effect. | If already disconnected and a medical issue exists, call the utility about reconnection. |
| Low-income deposit | A residential customer who documents income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines does not have to post a utility deposit. | Ask what proof the utility accepts before paying a requested deposit. |
See the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s utility customer rights page for disconnection, deposit, dispute, and payment-arrangement rules. During dangerous summer heat, the PSC’s heat emergency rules are especially important.
If you dispute a bill or shutoff notice, contact the utility first. If the issue is not resolved, PSC Consumer Affairs can help at 1-800-225-7729 or 608-266-2001.
Past-Due Bills: Use WHEAP and the Utility Together
A WHEAP application and a utility payment agreement can work in parallel. Contact the utility directly to request an agreement while WHEAP is being reviewed.
Use the PSC’s utility payment assistance page to confirm the current number for your provider. Major contacts listed there include Alliant Energy at 1-800-255-4268, Madison Gas and Electric at 1-800-245-1125, We Energies at 1-800-842-4565, Wisconsin Public Service at 1-800-450-7260, Superior Water, Light and Power at 1-800-227-7957, and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999.
Utility-specific programs can be better than a basic payment plan
Alliant Energy: Its Wisconsin Arrears Management Program can forgive part of a qualifying past-due balance for selected income-qualified customers. Alliant says the program starts with 25% arrears forgiveness, then forgives another one-twelfth of the remaining balance after each on-time monthly payment. Missing three consecutive monthly payments removes the customer from the program.
Madison Gas and Electric: MGE’s bill help page lists payment arrangements and its Back on Track program for qualifying customers with substantial past-due balances, including some customers with health-related energy needs.
We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service: Both utilities offer payment arrangements and energy-assistance routes. Check the current We Energies options or WPS assistance options before assuming the only choice is a large lump-sum payment.
Heating-System, Water-Heater, and Weatherization Help
When high bills come from heat loss or failed equipment, Wisconsin’s Home Energy Plus system can connect eligible households with repair and efficiency programs.
HE+ HVAC Program Services
Wisconsin’s HE+ HVAC services operate year-round for eligible households when the primary heating system or air-source heat pump is not providing heat, is inoperable, or becomes unsafe. The program can include repair or, in some cases, replacement. Central air-conditioning work is not a general summer cooling benefit; it may be included when the air-conditioning system compromises the heating system’s performance.
Start with the WHEAP agency. It verifies eligibility and makes the referral to the weatherization agency that manages the work. Homeowners dealing with a failed furnace should also review the GFS Wisconsin home repair guide for other repair routes that may fit the property.
Water-heater help
HE+ Water Conservation Program Services can help eligible households repair or replace a leaking or non-working water heater. This is a year-round service, but Public Benefits funding requires the customer to live in the territory of a participating Public Benefit utility. It is not the same as help paying a past-due water bill.
Weatherization
The Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program can improve an eligible home’s energy efficiency and safety. After a WHEAP application, households that may qualify can be referred to the local weatherization agency. Possible work depends on the home and energy audit and may include insulation, air sealing, water-heater measures, or other efficiency improvements.
Water and Sewer Bills Need a Different Plan
Wisconsin’s main WHEAP benefit focuses on heating and electric costs. Do not rely on old web pages that still list the federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) as if it were open. The federal program was temporary and ended in 2024. The federal LIHWAP final report confirms that the program concluded.
Another outdated route is Wisconsin Help for Homeowners, which once covered some overdue utilities. The Wisconsin Department of Administration says that program closed in March 2024.
If your water bill is past due in 2026, call the water utility and ask for a payment agreement, hardship option, local charitable fund, or municipal assistance program. If a medical or protective-services emergency is involved, say so before disconnection. If the bill is tied to rent or housing instability, the GFS Wisconsin housing assistance guide may offer a better backup route.
Lower Future Bills With Efficiency Programs
Efficiency work can reduce future energy costs.
Focus on Energy: Wisconsin residents may qualify for larger income-qualified rebates for heating, cooling, insulation, and air-sealing projects. Focus on Energy says income qualification should be completed as part of the rebate process and that retroactive income-qualified rebates are not available. Do not hire a contractor or buy equipment assuming a rebate will apply; check eligibility and project rules first.
Wisconsin Home Energy Rebates: Focus on Energy also administers the federal Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates in Wisconsin. The current home energy rebates page explains the income-qualification and contractor steps. These rebates can be valuable for planned improvements, but they are not a substitute for WHEAP when a senior faces a shutoff or immediate heating crisis.
Phone and Internet Help
If phone or internet service is the problem, WHEAP is not the main program. Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission administers information for Lifeline in Wisconsin, which can reduce the cost of qualifying phone, cell, or internet service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as Medicaid, FoodShare, Supplemental Security Income, federal public housing assistance, or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
If several household costs are competing with the utility bill, reducing food costs may free room in the monthly budget. See the GFS Wisconsin FoodShare guide for senior-specific SNAP information.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
The state says the online application normally takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and review can take up to 10 business days during high volume. If heat or power is already off or threatened, call instead of relying only on the form.
Before you start, gather:
- Date of birth for everyone living in the home.
- Income information for adults in the household.
- The fuel types used in the home.
- Utility or fuel company names and account numbers.
- A recent fuel or utility bill.
- Landlord or property-management name, address, and phone number if you rent.
- A lease when it applies to your situation.
- Income proof the agency requests, such as pay records or tax documents.
For other Wisconsin public benefits, the GFS Wisconsin benefits portals guide explains ACCESS and MyACCESS. WHEAP itself uses the Home Energy Plus application system, so do not assume an ACCESS application automatically applies for energy assistance.
Local and Tribal help
If online forms are difficult, use the state county/Tribe finder or call 1-866-432-8947 and ask for the local WHEAP office. Older adults who need help coordinating several services can also use the GFS Wisconsin aging agencies guide to find an Aging and Disability Resource Center, Area Agency on Aging, or Tribal aging contact.
Reality Checks
- WHEAP will not normally erase the full annual energy bill. The regular benefit is intended to cover part of eligible energy costs.
- Eligibility is not the same as payment. Wisconsin says benefits are not guaranteed if funds are exhausted.
- The winter moratorium is not debt forgiveness. A balance can remain due after April 15.
- Water help is more local now. Old LIHWAP listings can send readers to a program that has ended.
- Municipal and cooperative utility customers can have different routes. Ask whether your provider uses Wisconsin Public Benefits or a Commitment to Community program.
- Efficiency rebates are not emergency aid. Check program approval and contractor rules before spending money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the shutoff date to call the utility.
- Assuming the winter moratorium covers every utility service in every situation.
- Submitting an online WHEAP application but not calling when heat or power is already off.
- Assuming a senior automatically qualifies based on age.
- Using a 2024 water-assistance page as proof that LIHWAP is still open.
- Paying a large deposit without asking whether the low-income deposit rule applies.
- Starting an efficiency project before confirming rebate eligibility.
Denied, Delayed, or Still Short?
If WHEAP says no, ask for the exact reason and what information was used. The state WHEAP page provides a Department of Administration appeal form. Do not guess at an appeal deadline; ask the agency which deadline applies to the notice you received.
If the problem is that WHEAP is not enough, try the statewide Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. It is a nonprofit safety-net program for households with serious energy burdens when other resources are inadequate. You can also use the GFS Wisconsin local help guide for community organizations that may assist with bills, food, transportation, repairs, and other urgent costs.
After a denial, ask for a payment arrangement you can actually afford. If a billing or disconnection dispute remains unresolved, call PSC Consumer Affairs at 1-800-225-7729.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
WHEAP crisis call
“I am a Wisconsin resident and my household has no heat or electricity, or I have a shutoff notice. I need to know whether this is a crisis case and which local WHEAP office should handle it. What do you need from me today?”
Utility payment plan
“I cannot pay the full past-due balance. I am applying for energy assistance. Please tell me what payment agreement, hardship program, or arrears program is available on my account and what amount would prevent disconnection.”
Medical emergency protection
“A disconnection would aggravate a medical or protective-services emergency in this household. What documentation do you require for the Wisconsin medical-emergency extension, and where should it be sent today?”
Water bill call
“I am having trouble paying my residential water bill. What payment agreement, hardship fund, municipal assistance, or local referral is available? If I qualify as low income, are there deposit or disconnection protections I should request?”
Resumen en Español
Si necesita ayuda con calefacción o electricidad en Wisconsin, empiece con WHEAP. Para el año del programa 2026–2027, un hogar puede calificar si sus ingresos están dentro de los límites del programa. Puede solicitar ayuda por internet, pero si ya no tiene calefacción o electricidad, casi no tiene combustible o recibió un aviso de corte, llame al 1-866-432-8947 de inmediato.
Wisconsin prohíbe ciertos cortes del servicio que afecta la calefacción principal entre el 1 de noviembre y el 15 de abril. Una emergencia médica o de servicios de protección también puede permitir una demora de hasta 21 días, con documentación si la compañía la pide. Estas reglas no eliminan la deuda.
Prepare fechas de nacimiento de las personas del hogar, información de ingresos, facturas y números de cuenta de energía, y datos del arrendador si alquila. Si WHEAP no resuelve el problema, pida un plan de pago a la compañía y pregunte por fondos de emergencia locales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Wisconsin energy assistance in 2026?
For the 2026–2027 WHEAP program year, Wisconsin uses limits based on 60% of state median income. The published annual limit is $39,864 for one person, $52,129 for two, $64,395 for three, and higher for larger households. Use the current state table because limits change by program year.
Can Wisconsin shut off heat in winter for nonpayment?
A utility service that provides or affects the home’s primary heat cannot be disconnected for nonpayment from November 1 through April 15. The unpaid balance does not disappear, so contact the utility and WHEAP before the protection period ends.
Does being a senior automatically qualify me for WHEAP?
No. WHEAP is a household energy-assistance program, not a benefit based only on age. Income, household circumstances, energy costs, utility participation, and program rules matter.
Can I apply for WHEAP after May 15?
Yes. Wisconsin’s online system accepts energy-assistance applications year-round. The regular one-time heating-season payment is tied to applications from October 1 through May 15. Applications outside that window may be considered for other assistance if funds are available.
Is LIHWAP still paying Wisconsin water bills?
No current federal LIHWAP household benefit is available. The temporary federal program concluded in 2024. For a past-due water bill, contact the water utility for a payment plan and ask local WHEAP, community, county, Tribal, or charitable agencies whether other help is available.
What should I do if my furnace stops working?
Call your local WHEAP agency or the statewide information line at 1-866-432-8947. Eligible households may be referred for year-round HE+ HVAC Program Services, which can include repair or replacement of a failed or unsafe primary heating system.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, utility, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: October 9, 2026 · Next review: January 7, 2027
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