Hi Kristi,
Thank you for the very detailed message. A few things right off the bat, such as why is your energy bill at $1000 / month? Which is say as rent? Something seems odd there. But talk to the landlord, maybe ask about weatherization. Look into payment plans and talk to utility company. As far as direct financial help, that may be hard with those amounts needed, but try our list of Madison and Dane County financial assistance programs.
Handler wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2026 6:21 am
Hello!
My name is Kristi and I am searching for potential guidance on finding help paying my energy bill in Madison Wisconsin. I'm having trouble getting any government assistance with my energy bill (which is now reaching approximately $1000) and I'm getting worried about how I'm going to be able to get that paid before April comes when they will be allowed shut off my power if unpaid. I have been putting off making payments on my energy bill because I have so many other monthly bills that make it challenging. My rent is $650 each month, which I pay on my own. I am currently facing eviction because I had $1000 due in back rent this past fall/winter, but I’ve gone to court and am on a payment plan for that each month so that I can get back on track. With my back rent and current rent, I pay almost $1000 each month for rent which cannot be late or I will be evicted since I’ve already gone to court and basically have no more wiggle room for messing up or paying late.
I’ve gone to energy assistance but they weren’t much help because they told me I make too much money. The problem with that is I bartend so my paychecks are never consistent nor are the hours I get at my job. I usually only get between 20-30 hours a week... it just depends. My hours vary along with my tips, due to if our restaurant is busy or not. There are periods of time where we are terribly slow at my job and I’m basically just making my hourly wage of $11/hour and no tips. However, there are other times I might have a few busy nights in the same pay period making that paycheck higher than the last but not consistent. The inconsistency has seemed to work against me in all areas... because it disqualifies me for government assistance since those higher paychecks put me over and also denies me from loans or bank approval since my inconsistency in income isn’t enough to be reliable.
Over the past few years and have gotten myself into some substantial debt, and made some poor financial choices and now I’m dealing those consequences as I try to get back on track. But I feel like I’m drowning and can’t make any headway with some of these larger looming bills I have like my energy bill. If I’m able to get a little assistance, I would be better able to get my head above water so that I could start actually making progress back towards financial stability.
If you have any suggestions or guidance I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time!
Respectfully,
Kristi
Hello!
My name is Kristi and I am searching for potential guidance on finding help paying my energy bill in Madison Wisconsin. I'm having trouble getting any government assistance with my energy bill (which is now reaching approximately $1000) and I'm getting worried about how I'm going to be able to get that paid before April comes when they will be allowed shut off my power if unpaid. I have been putting off making payments on my energy bill because I have so many other monthly bills that make it challenging. My rent is $650 each month, which I pay on my own. I am currently facing eviction because I had $1000 due in back rent this past fall/winter, but I’ve gone to court and am on a payment plan for that each month so that I can get back on track. With my back rent and current rent, I pay almost $1000 each month for rent which cannot be late or I will be evicted since I’ve already gone to court and basically have no more wiggle room for messing up or paying late.
I’ve gone to energy assistance but they weren’t much help because they told me I make too much money. The problem with that is I bartend so my paychecks are never consistent nor are the hours I get at my job. I usually only get between 20-30 hours a week... it just depends. My hours vary along with my tips, due to if our restaurant is busy or not. There are periods of time where we are terribly slow at my job and I’m basically just making my hourly wage of $11/hour and no tips. However, there are other times I might have a few busy nights in the same pay period making that paycheck higher than the last but not consistent. The inconsistency has seemed to work against me in all areas... because it disqualifies me for government assistance since those higher paychecks put me over and also denies me from loans or bank approval since my inconsistency in income isn’t enough to be reliable.
Over the past few years and have gotten myself into some substantial debt, and made some poor financial choices and now I’m dealing those consequences as I try to get back on track. But I feel like I’m drowning and can’t make any headway with some of these larger looming bills I have like my energy bill. If I’m able to get a little assistance, I would be better able to get my head above water so that I could start actually making progress back towards financial stability.
If you have any suggestions or guidance I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time!
Respectfully,
Kristi
