LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2008 Heating)
150,000
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 – May 15 (early application period prior to 10/01/09)
Crisis: Year-round
State
Low-Income Rate Assistance
A Public Benefits Fund (PBF) created in 1999 under energy reliability legislation funds low-income energy programs, along with other conservation and renewables programs. Funding for the low-income energy portion of the PBF varies each year and comes from three sources: prior utility (gas and electric) low-income expenditures (about $21 million per year), a new access fee or customer charge on all electric bills, and the current year’s federal LIHEAP and weatherization allocations. Funding is split between energy assistance and energy efficiency. The new funding allows the LIHEAP program to pay a non-heating electric benefit, averaging about $92 for FY 2003, along with the regular LIHEAP heating benefit. Low-income programs formerly operated by utilities will transition to the LIHEAP grantee by January 2003.
608-267-3680 or contact local agencies
The State of Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. Chapter 49 directs General Assistance funds to households without assets or means of support to provide a minimum of life's necessities including the cost of home heating. General assistance is provided only as a last resort to eligible households.
State and local sales taxes are suspended for LIHEAP eligible households for the costs of home heating to direct additional funds to those households to relieve the costs of home heating.
Housing Cost Reduction Initiative Utility Payment Program. State funds are distributed for payment of uncollectible utility arrearages. Assistance is provided to households whose housing cost is more than 35 percent of their total income and who have exhausted other sources of assistance.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Assistance
Focus On Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. The Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program assists Wisconsin residents in making energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Wisconsin residents who receive their electricity from a participating utility, and who meet the income requirements, are eligible to participate. Depending on results from a home energy assessment, energy efficiency measures may include insulation, sealing air leaks, heating system update or energy saving devices. Visit the Focus on Energy website for more information or an application or call 800-762-7077 to receive an application.
Utilities
The PBF legislation also requires municipal electric utilities and electric cooperatives to collect fees annually per customer, with half of the funds collected going to low-income programs. Many municipals and co-ops retain the fees for their own internal low-income/weatherization programs. If approved for LIHEAP, customers of some municipals and co-ops can receive bill credits, home energy efficiency measures or refrigerator replacements.
Commitment to Community Program
A customer receiving a state heating assistance benefit is automatically eligible for this program. An electric assistance benefit will appear as a credit ona future bill. Call MPU at 683-4600, or Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation at 1-800-720-0702.
Weatherization Assistance
Based on a home energy analysis, eligible customers may receive insulation, air sealing, heating system repair or replacement, water saving measures and compact fluorescent lighting. Pick up an application at MPU or call Partners for Community Development at 920-459-2780 or 1-800-584-8172.
Menasha Utilities
Energy Assistance Program
Establish income eligibility through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). Customers in Winnebago County should contact Energy Services Inc. at 231-0600. Customers in Outagamie County should contact Energy Services Inc. at 800-506-5596 and Calumet County customers should contact the Calumet County Energy Assistance Program at 849-1400. www.menashautilities.com/energy_efficiency/default.asp?CategoryNumber=3
Contact 967-3400 for more information about both programs.
New Holstein Utilities
Energy Assistance Program
Establish income eligibility through the federally funded Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). To learn more about the WHEAP application process, customers should contact Calumet County Social Services (920) 849-1400. www.nhutilities.org/energy_efficiency/
New Richmond Utilities
Energy Assistance Program
Establish eligibility through WHEAP. Customers should contact St. Croix County Social Services located at the New Richmond Health Center, 715-246-8209. If approved for WHEAP, you will receive more information about your eligibility for New Richmond Utilities' Energy Assistance Program. www.newrichmondutilities.com/customer_services/
Refrigerator Replacement
Must be approved for the Energy Assistance Program and have a refrigerator more than 10 years old.
For more information, submit a form online or call 262-569-3282. www.oconomowocutilities.com/energy_efficiency/
Plymouth Utilities
Energy Assistance Program
Home Weatherization Program
Establish income eligibility through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). Contact Sheboygan County Health and Human Services at 920-459-6400. Or, for more information submit a form online or call 920-450-1322. www.plymouthutilities.com/energy_efficiency/
River Falls Municipal Utilities
Customer Credit Program
To qualify for the program you must verify through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) that your gross household income from the last three months falls within the eligibility guidelines. To verify WHEAP eligibility, contact St. Croix County Social Services, 715-246-8257 or Pierce County Social Services, 715-273-6788
Call 715-425-0906 for more information www.rfmu.org/energy%5Fefficiency/default.asp?CategoryNumber=2
St Croix Electric
Commitment to Community
Public benefit funds are used for credits on eligible customer's bills; weatherization services including insulation, caulking and window replacement; furnace and water heater upgrades and appliance and lighting replacements.
St. Croix Human Services, 715-246-6991
Customer Credit Program
Customers approved for WHEAP will automatically be approved for the Customer Credit Program. Credit will be applied to electric accounts. Applications are also taken at various locations. Call 1-800-255-9774 for more information. www.waupunutilities.com/media/2006_Heating_Season_Info.pdf
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund (KWWF)
KWWF is a voluntary, community-based program designed to fill the need for energy assistance to low income people. The program began as a pilot in Dane County, and is now expanding statewide. The KWWF is funded by businesses (including utilities) and individual contributions. Eligibility requirements are the same as for WHEAP -- 150% of poverty and below. www.esiwi.com/kwwfdefault.htm
Madison Gas and Electric
Energy Fund
Donations come from MGE customers, shareholders and employees assists families and individuals who find it impossible to cover basic living costs. The difficulties may come from medical bills, job loss or other emergencies. They may live on a fixed income or work for low hourly rates. A nonprofit agency distributes the money.
608-252-7222, 1-800-245-1125, TDD 608-252-4777 www.mge.com/home/services/energy_fund.htm
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Member donations provide funds for emergency assistance following natural disasters, youth programs, civic projects and more. Individuals and community service organizations are encouraged to apply for donations. Application forms are available at the co-op's three service centers.
Friendship 608-339-3346 or 800-831-8629
Pardeeville 608-429-9300 or 800-851-4872
Wautoma 920-787-3311 or 800-526-4775 www.acecwi.com/community/roundup.asp
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up® - Chippewa Valley Community Fund, Inc.
Member contributions are used to assist local individuals and nonprofit organizations with crucial needs. Such needs may include: equipment for fire, ambulance, or rescue squads; hospice programs; youth programs; food shelves; clothing, shelter or medical services following an accident or storm.
715-239-6800 or 1-800-300-6800 www.cvecoop.com/services/operationroundup.php
Menasha Utilities
Project Share Fund
Menasha customers who are willing to assist local families facing emergency situations with their energy bills may designate a monthly or annual option to contribute to the Project Share Fund. All disbursements from the Project Share Fund are authorized from LEAVEN, a non-profit United Way agency.
920-967-5263 or Cellular 901-8889
Oakdale Electric Cooperative
Operation Round-Up®
Funded by cooperative members, the Oakdale Electric Trust Fund provides assistance to individuals and community service organizations. The fund was established to support local charities, individuals and families in the community.
608-372-4131 or email: info@oakdalerec.com www.oakdalerec.com/news/operationroundup.shtml
Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative
Operation Round-Up
Members contributions are distributed to individuals and organizations to address crucial needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education.
608-723-2121 or 1-800-236-2141 www.scenicriversenergy.com/services/op_round.shtml
