Madison Gas Electric assistance programs.
The company will direct customers to the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program or rebates and conservation resources from Focus on Energy. Many families from Madison Gas apply to these or other programs when they are faced with a hardship. Madison Gas and Electric may also offer some qualified customers payment plans or other options as well.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program is targeted at households with low to moderate incomes. They may be eligible for help in paying or reducing their energy bills. Any assistance is available through local community action agencies, which accept and process applications.
These local non-profit agencies can help household weatherize their home or provide assistance with paying bills. Funds from WHEAP are available for the heating season which officially runs from October 1 through May 15 in Wisconsin. There is very limited funding available, so apply early. Dane County residents who receive their service from Madison Gas can start the application process through the non-profit Energy Services, which is located at 1225 S. Park St. in Madison, WI 53715. Call the center at (608) 333-0333.
Some of the benefits are as follows. Approved households will receive assistance from Madison Gas with applying for energy assistance/public benefits. The grant amount paid out will depend on household size, their heating and/or electric cost, and also income level. Any compensation is paid directly to the utility or fuel supplier. The customer will receive notification of the benefit amount and Madison Gas and Electric will then credit that amount to your account.
To be eligible for low income energy assistance, some or all of the following need to be met.
- Your total, gross income is less than the levels that are set by the federal government.
- The applicants household needs to pay the heating costs directly to a fuel or utility company or the amount of your heating bills needs to be included in your monthly rent.
When applying, the following must be provided. Be sure to have verification of your household income. This includes total wages, child support, unemployment benefits, interest, etc. For those Madison Gas customers that are currently receiving Social Security or SSI, they need to bring a letter from the Social Security office with information of your benefits. If your rent includes heat, bring your lease to an appointment. Proof and ID is required too, including Social Security cards and birth dates for all members of the household. For those customers that reside outside of Dane, Columbia or Sauk counties, they will also need to bring written verification of your total heating fuel costs.
Focus on Energy is an organization that offers services for low income residents as well. In general their income needs to be between 60%-80% of the states median income level. There are a couple main components to the program. They include the following.
Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is a program that encourages qualified homeowners to complete insulation and air-sealing improvements to their home. The objective it to help them improve comfort and energy efficiency.
The second component is Home Heating Assistance. This is offered in the form of enhanced cash-back rewards for both the purchase and installation of prequalified high-efficiency equipment. The rebates can only be used for items that use less fuel and that improve the comfort of the home. Focus on Energy will coordinate the contractor that will work on your home and they perform the work at minimal cost to customer. Call Focus on Energy at 1-800-762-7077.
Some of the other advice and support offered from Madison Gas and Electric or the community action agency is as follows. Receive free counseling and information on energy conservation and budgeting for energy costs. Some assistance available can include emergency furnace repair and replacement for homeowners. Or get referrals to non-profits in the region.
To learn more or apply for help, dial 1-866-252-7080. Madison Gas and Electric will do what they can to assist.
|
