COVID-19 Energy Assistance Information
Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2020
For some customers, including seniors on fixed incomes, energy expenses can be a financial burden. Many here in our community cannot afford the energy to meet their basic needs. Many residents have found themselves facing new challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Wisconsin's Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides for assistance with heating costs, electric costs (regardless of heat source), and energy crisis situations. Energy assistance is a one-time benefit payment provided to income qualifying residents during the COVID-19 public health emergency, now through September 30, 2020. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies according to household size, income level, and household energy costs. Income eligibility is now determined based on your income over the past 30 days.
Eligibility is determined by Energy Services, Inc. using criteria established through WHEAP.
Click here to apply for Home Energy Plus online.
Stoughton Utilities customers living in Dane County can also call (608) 267-8601 to schedule an appointment to apply for assistance. For additional information on how to apply for energy assistance, please call toll-free 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947). Please call to schedule an appointment as early in the season as possible since slots fill quickly.
WHEAP electric (heating or non-heating) assistance is a one-time benefit payment that pays a portion of the household’s electrical (non-heating) costs. The payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of the household's electric costs. The amount of the assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and non-heating costs. In most cases the assistance benefit is paid directly to Stoughton Utilities, where it will be applied to future billing statements to reduce the amount due for electric charges. This benefit does not reduce the amount owed for water or wastewater service.
A 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 local WHEAP agencies that provide a 24-hour crisis phone number to help with emergencies that occur after business hours. 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.
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, eligibility guidelines have changed, so you may now be eligible for assistance even if you previously did not quality.
Income eligibility is now determined based on your income over the past 30 days. Energy assistance income guidelines for 2023-24 program year are as follows: Household Size
Three Month Household Income
Household Size
Three Month Household Income