Utility Assistance for Single Mothers in Wisconsin

Where to start

If you have no heat, an empty fuel tank, or a bad furnace, ask for crisis aid now. For a past-due bill, call the utility and apply for WHEAP.

For more help, see Wisconsin food aid and health coverage help. Ask your county about child care aid too.

Quick utility help table

WHEAP energy help in Wisconsin

WHEAP may help a home pay for heat and electric power. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds much of the heat aid. Wisconsin utility fees help pay for some electric aid.

WHEAP makes a one-time payment during the October 1–May 15 heating season. It pays part of a household energy bill, often right to the supplier. It is not meant to pay a full year of bills.

Applications are now open for 2026–27. Regular one-time benefits are tied to the October 1–May 15 heating season. Crisis energy help may be available all year. Ask your local WHEAP agency what is open and how payments reach your utility.

What WHEAP may include

• A regular heating benefit during the open payment period
• A non-heating electric benefit for eligible households
• Crisis help when heat or essential electric service is threatened
• Budget and energy counseling
• Weatherization referrals
• Heating-system or water-heater services for eligible homes

The official WHEAP program page explains who may qualify. Benefits are not guaranteed, even if your household meets the income test. Some municipal and cooperative utility customers may have different public-benefit options.

Income limits and how to apply

For the October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027 program year, household income must generally be at or below 60% of Wisconsin’s state median income. The state usually checks gross income for the month before you apply. It also reviews who lives in the home, heating costs, and other rules.

2026–27 state limits. The yearly amounts are a guide; most applications use last month’s gross income. Check the state’s 2026–27 WHEAP income notice if your income changes or household is larger than eight. Ask the office how it counts seasonal work, self-employment, child support, or benefits.

Application choices

The online form takes about 45–60 minutes. Review may take up to 10 business days. An incomplete case may be denied after 30 days. Call at once if a shutoff is near.

You can apply online for WHEAP, by phone, by mail, or through your county or Tribal agency. The local assistance finder helps you reach the right office. Call 1-866-432-8947 if you need help.

The online system says an application can take 45 to 60 minutes to complete. Because of high volume, review may take up to 10 business days. An incomplete online application may be denied after 30 days.

Crisis help and shutoff protections

Crisis help may be open if your home has no heat, your fuel is almost gone, or you face a shutoff. Call your local WHEAP office or the state line. Do not wait for an online form to be read if heat or power is at risk.

Winter disconnection rules

From November 1 through April 15, a utility covered by the winter rule cannot shut off service that heats a home or runs its main heat source just because the bill is late. The rule does not clear old bills. If your service was cut off first, you may still need a payment plan to get it back.

As of October 21, 2026, winter protection has not started. It starts November 1 and ends April 15, 2027. Ask for a written payment or reconnection plan now. The winter rule does not clear debt or always force reconnection.

Medical or protective-services emergency

If a shutoff may make a health or safety crisis worse, ask your utility for a pause. For service under PSC rules, it can last up to 21 days if you give the right proof. Ask which signed note or form it needs. The pause does not erase the debt.

The utility bill rights page explains notice, payment-plan, dispute, winter, and emergency rules. A short delay does not erase the bill, so keep working on assistance and a payment plan.

Important: These winter and medical rules do not apply in the same way to all energy sellers. Propane and heating-oil deliveries are not the same as regulated gas or electric service. Ask the PSC which rules cover your provider.

Furnace, water-heater, and weatherization help

HE+ HVAC services

HE+ HVAC help runs all year. It may fix or replace the main home heat system if it fails or is unsafe. WHEAP checks the case first and may send it to a repair agency. Homeowners can ask for help. Renters should also call; the owner may need to take part.

The HE+ repair page explains the year-round heating-system program. Do not hire a contractor and expect repayment unless the local agency approved the work first.

Water-heater and leak services

HE+ Water Conservation may repair or replace a leaking or failed water heater. It runs year-round, but the home must be in a participating public-benefit utility service area. Ask about coverage before making plans. Some plumbing problems may call for another local program.

Weatherization

Wisconsin’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps some homes use less power and heat. Work may include insulation, sealing drafts, fixing heat systems, or adding better lights. An energy check helps decide what is needed.

The weatherization program is not an emergency bill payment. The agency may have a waitlist. Renters may need landlord approval. A local Community Action group may help you apply.

Water and sewer bill help

Wisconsin’s temporary Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) says its funds are exhausted. Do not count on a new state LIHWAP grant for a water bill. See the water program status for the fund’s notice. It still lists an old intake form, but that does not mean money is open.

A closed state fund does not mean all local help is closed. Ask 211 what serves your ZIP code today.

What to do now

• Call the water utility and ask about a payment plan, leak adjustment, restoration payment, or hardship process.
• Ask 211 about local water and sewer funds, Community Action, town or county help, and charities.
• Ask whether housing assistance can address utility arrears when the household is at risk of losing housing.
• For a failed or leaking water heater, ask 1-866-432-8947 about HE+ Water Conservation. A leaking pipe alone is not a promise of coverage.

Use our Wisconsin housing guide when water debt is tied to eviction, rent, or unsafe housing.

Phone and internet help

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in 2024. Wisconsin Lifeline can still lower the cost of eligible phone or internet service. It is a service discount, not money paid to you.

See the Wisconsin Lifeline page for the rules and list of providers. Some plans give a discount of up to $18.50 a month. Ask the provider what it offers.

A household may qualify through FoodShare, Medicaid, SSI, some housing programs, or income at or below 135% of federal poverty rules. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household. You must choose a provider that takes part; the Lifeline support site explains the next steps.

Documents to gather

Call in an emergency even if a paper is missing. Ask what other proof you can send. Make a folder for copies of bills, notices, forms, and letters.

The state WHEAP document checklist lists what you may need. The office may ask you to send your own proof of income or Social Security details.

Other Wisconsin help to check

Utility debt often grows because food, child care, health, or housing takes most of the household income. Apply for related programs instead of waiting for one energy payment to solve everything.

• Cash assistance: The Wisconsin TANF guide explains Wisconsin Works and related support.
• Young children: The Wisconsin WIC guide covers food and nutrition support.
• Local services: The community support guide lists local help paths.