The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program provides assistance to approximately 225,000 Wisconsin households annually. Whether you use wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil to heat your home, energy assistance is available if you qualify.
Heating Assistance
WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season (October 1-May 15). The funding pays a portion of the heating costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating a residence. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs. In most cases the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
Electric Assistance
Your household may be eligible to receive a payment for non-heating electric energy costs through funding provided by Wisconsin’s Public Benefits. WHEAP electric (non-heating) assistance is a one-time benefit payment during the heating season (October 1-May 15). The funding pays a portion of the household’s electrical (non-heating) costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of the non-heating costs.
As with heating assistance, the amount of the non-heating assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and non-heating costs. In most cases the non-heating assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
Crisis Assistance
Your household may be eligible for crisis assistance if you have no heat, have received a disconnect notice from the heating vendor, or are nearly out of fuel and do not have the money to purchase more. Crisis assistance is available through your local WHEAP agency via a 24-hour crisis phone number. WHEAP crisis assistance provides both emergency and proactive services.
There are also non-emergency or proactive crisis services that include providing information on how to reduce fuel costs, counseling on budgeting and money management, providing payments to a fuel supplier, and co-pay agreements.
Furnace Assistance
WHEAP emergency heating system assistance can provide services to eligible home owners if their furnace or boiler stops operating during the heating season. Heating system assistance includes payment for repairs, or in some situations your residence may qualify for a total replacement of a non-operating furnace or boiler. Call the local energy assistance office if you are experiencing a no heat situation.
How to Apply
Your household may be eligible for WHEAP services based on a number of different factors, including if your gross household income is less than the amount shown on the Income Guidelines table. A Home Energy Plus application must be completed through your local WHEAP agency.
For more information on WHEAP and how to apply, please call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947) or apply online via: https://energybenefit.wi.gov/. Local contact numbers for energy assistance are: Dodge County - 920-887-7990 and
Fond du Lac County - 920-929-3445 Home Energy Plus Brochure-English Folleto Home Energy Plus - Español
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
LIHWAP was authorized under two separate federal appropriations as part of an emergency effort to respond to COVID-19. LIHWAP does not have a permanent or ongoing statutory authorization or appropriation beyond December 31, 2023. LIHWAP benefits assist low income households with their water and sewer bills. More information is available online or by calling 1-833-426-9472.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH)
Up to $40,000 per qualifying households is now available through Wisconsin Help for Homeowners to assist with overdue bills like utility bills, mortgage payments, property taxes and more. The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program is available to individuals and families in Wisconsin who have experienced economic hardship since January 21, 2020 and meet eligibility requirements. Find out if you qualify and apply today! Call 1-855-2-HOME-WI (1-855-246-6394).