Wisconsin Low-Income Assistance Programs
Energy Assistance Available for Low-Income Households
Continued high unemployment rates will make the 2011-2012 heating season another challenging one for many Wisconsin households. In some cases, families will be forced to make painful decisions about which bills to pay and which necessities to cut.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program
(WHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for
winter energy services. Fortunately, Rock Energy Cooperative
works with WHEAP, which benefits about 225,000
Wisconsin households each year.
WHEAP Details
WHEAP heat and electric assistance is a one-time
benefit payment per heating season that is intended to
help pay a portion of a household’s heat and electric
costs. The benefit amount depends on household size,
income, and energy costs.
In most cases, the benefit is applied as a credit
directly to the household’s Rock Energy account. You do
not need to duplicate your efforts by applying for assistance
with both your local agency and Rock Energy. We
will send you a letter about one month after receiving
your application that will include details on your assistance
status and dollar amounts.
Eligibility
You are eligible for heating assistance if your
household’s combined income is at or below the levels
shown on this chart:
WHEAP Income Guidelinesfor the 2011-2012 Heating Season |
|||
HouseholdSize |
Combined Household Income |
||
1 Month |
3 Month |
Annual |
|
1 |
$2,027 |
$6,080 |
$24,319 |
2 |
$2,650 |
$7,950 |
$31,802 |
3 |
$3,274 |
$9,821 |
$39,285 |
4 |
$3,897 |
$11,692 |
$46,768 |
5 |
$4,521 |
$13,563 |
$54,250 |
6 |
$5,144 |
$15,433 |
$61,733 |
7 |
$5,261 |
$15,784 |
$63,136 |
8 |
$5,378 |
$16,135 |
$64,539 |
Source: Wisconsin Home Energy Plus Program
Where to Apply
To apply for assistance, you’ll need to complete a
Home Energy Plus application and provide information
on each household member and their income as well as
records of your heating costs.
For more information and application details, please
contact your local office:
Rock County Eclipse Center 118 Eclipse Center Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 363-9200 |
Green County (608) 328-9344 |
Walworth County (262) 741-3337 |
Dane County 1225 S. Park St. (608) 267-8601 |
Weatherization Services
When you apply for energy assistance, the local
agency also will see if you qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps fund energy efficiency
home improvement projects. If you are eligible for weatherization
services, an energy auditor will look at your
home to see what can be done to make it more energy
efficient. Weatherization services differ with each home, depending on how it was built and its condition.
Rock Cooperative Care
Rock Energy also helps low-income members through Rock Cooperative Care, which provides energy assistance to supplement the state and federal programs. Click here for program details.
| For general information about WHEAP or the Weatherization Assistance Program, call (866) HEATWIS (432-8947) or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov. |





