Energy Assistance

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

(WHEAP)- administered by the State of Wisconsin Home Energy Plus Program

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.

Home Energy Plus helps qualified Wisconsin residents reduce energy use and costs through three offerings—the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and the Home Energy Plus Furnace Program.

These offerings are available statewide and are funded by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR). Wood County Human Services Department supports Home Energy Plus by providing access to these services. An informative YouTube video describes these in more detail and can be viewed by following this link: Home Energy Plus video

Most types of fuel are eligible to receive assistance. Whether you use wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil to heat your home, energy assistance is available if you qualify. The amount of the assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs. In most cases the assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.

Heating Assistance

WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season. 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 2023-2024 heating season begins on October 1, 2023 and runs until May 15, 2024.

Proactive Services

Non-emergency or proactive services 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 the 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.

Crisis Assistance

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.

Electric Assistance

WHEAP electric (non-heating) assistance is a one-time benefit payment during the heating season.

The 2024 heating season begins October 1, 2023. 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.

Your household may be eligible for Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) services based on a number of factors. However, if the gross income for your household is less than the amount shown on this chart, you might be eligible to receive assistance.

Households must complete a Home Energy Plus application through the local WHEAP agency.

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2023-2024
HOME ENERGY PLUS PROGRAM YEAR
(10/01/2023 through 9/30/2024)
60 PERCENT OF STATE MEDIAN INCOME GUIDELINES:

Household Size	ONE Months Income	Annual Income
1	$2,820.67	$33,848
2	$3,688.58	$44,263
3	$4,556.50	$54,678
4	$5,424.50	$65,094
5	$6,292.42	$75,509
6	$7,160.33	$85,924
7	$7,323.00	$87,876
8	$7,485.75	$89,829

HOW CAN I APPLY?

You can request an application to be mailed to you by calling Wood County Human Services Community Resources, at 715-421-8654.

You can now apply online at https://energybenefit.wi.go

Paper Applications are available Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm at the following locations:

Wood County River Block
111 West Jackson Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

DC Steinle Plaza
4th Floor - Suite 404
630 South Central Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449

Applications can be mailed to:
Wood County Energy Assistance, 111 W Jackson St, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
You can download an application, instructions and guidelines here:

2023-2024 Home Energy Plus Application

2023-2024 Home Energy Plus Checklist

If you are experiencing a no heat situation during office hours, call the Energy Assistance office 715-421-8654.

If you are experiencing a no heat situation AFTER office hours (including weekends and holidays), call Dispatch (715) 421-8700.

Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

For more information, please visit the Home and Energy website.