Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program provides assistance to households across the state to help lower the burden incurred with monthly energy costs.

UMOS is the local agency serving Kenosha, Marquette, and Milwaukee Counties and strives to provide warm assistance to households, especially during winter months. 

Heating and Electric Assistance

Assistance is not intended to cover all heating or electric costs, and depends on the following factors

  • Income
  • Size of home or apartment 
  • Energy costs

WHEAP heating and electric assistance is a one-time payment during the Wisconsin heating season (October 1- May 15).

Crisis Assistance

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A household may be eligible for crisis assistance if you are experiencing an energy emergency. Crisis assistance is intended to provide emergency services to assist eligible households experiencing an energy emergency. Crisis assistance is available through a 24-hour crisis phone number to help with emergencies that occur after business hours.

This number is: (414) 385-6800  Milwaukee County

Call (414) 270-4-MKE to have an operator schedule an appointment for you

Call (262) 657-2170  Kenosha and Marquette County

Non-emergency and Preventative Crisis Assistance

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If you are having trouble paying for your utilities or find that you are falling behind on payments, other services are also available and include:

  • Providing information on how to reduce fuel costs
  • Counseling on budgeting and money management
  • Providing payments to a fuel supplier

How to apply for assistance & schedule an appointment now:

Call (414) 270-4-MKE to have an operator schedule an appointment for you

Click here to schedule your own appointment:
https://www.ca-apps.org/MilwaukeeHeat/ScheduleAppointment.html

Click here to apply onlinehttps://energybenefit.wi.gov/

Or

Home Energy Plus Application Forms may be downloaded here:

Then​ submitted to: 

More Information:

Household income must be below the following levels for the 2023-2024 Home Energy Plus Program Year

(10/01/2024 – 9/30/2025):

60 Percent Of State Median Income Guidlines 

HOUSEHOLD SIZE  ONE MONTH GROSS INCOME  ANNUAL INCOME 
$3,061.08 ​$36,733
$4,002.92 ​$48,035
$4,944.83 $59,338
​$5,886.75 $70,641
$6,828.58 $81,943
​​​6 ​$7,770.50 ​$93,246
7 $7,947.08 $95,365
​​8 ​​$8,123.67 $97,484

 

Things Didn’t Go as Planned?

If you have a complaint in regard to your experience with the Energy Assistance Program:
Please call (414) 289- 6656 or email EnergyAssistance@Milwaukeecountywi.gov and a representative will follow up with you within 48 hours.

Milwaukee County residents who are in need of additional information, have questions or are requesting an update of their online application status and/or payment of benefits, please contact ESI at 414-800-4240, 1-800-506-5596 or mke-support@esiwi.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

Eligibility is income based. Please apply to see if you’re eligible.

Both renters and homeowners may be eligible.

You do not have to have a past due bill to qualify.

Are there any costs?

There are no fees or costs associated with this program

For more information about these services:

Milwaukee County residents who are in need of additional information, have questions or are requesting an update of their online application status and/or payment of benefits, please contact ESI at 414-800-4240, 1-800-506-5596 or mke-support@esiwi.com.

UMOS WHEAP is funded by:

Wisconsin Department of Administration

UMOS WHEAP is administered by:

The State of Wisconsin Home Energy + Program