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 both Milwaukee and Kenosha 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
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
(262) 657-2170 Kenosha County
Non-emergency and Preventative Crisis Assistance
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
- Co-pay agreements
How to apply for assistance:
Complete a Home Energy Plus application online via: https://energybenefit.wi.gov/
Or
Home Energy Plus Application Forms may be downloaded here:
Then submitted to:
- Milwaukee.Energy@umos.org if you reside in Milwaukee County
- Molly.Calderon@umos.org if you reside in Kenosha County
More Information:
Household income must be below the following levels for the 2022-2023 Home Energy Plus Program Year
(10/01/2022 – 9/30/2023):
60 Percent Of Stemedian Income Guidlines
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | ONE MONTH INCOME | ANNUAL INCOME |
| 1 | $ 2,675.25 | $32,103 |
| 2 | $ 3,498.42 | $41,981 |
| 3 | $ 4,321.58 | $51,859 |
| 4 | $ 5,144.83 | $61,738 |
| 5 | $ 5,968.00 | $71,616 |
| 6 | $ 6,791.17 | $81,494 |
| 7 | $ 6,945.50 | $83,346 |
| 8 | $ 7,099.83 | $85,198 |
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:
Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
Kenosha County Department of Human Services
UMOS WHEAP is administered by:
The State of Wisconsin Home Energy + Program