We Energies financial assistance programs.
The Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC go by the name of We Energies. Low-income customers of this energy company have a number of financial assistance programs, payment plans and free energy conservation programs that they can apply to for help. Services are available if someone is faced with an emergency or disconnection, and find how to apply for WE Energy assistance programs below. Or resources may be available to assist an individual as they work at becoming self-sufficient.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) - This Heating Bill Assistance Program provides a onetime cash grant during the winter heating season, which ranges from October 1-May 15. The cash payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of someone’s We Energy heating bills, but rather the funding pays a portion of the households heating costs. In almost all cases the cash assistance benefit is paid directly to the households energy supplier (being We Energy), and the exact amount paid out will depend on the household’s income, size, and financial situation.
Flexible payment assistance and arrangements are offered to We Energies customers who are having difficulty with paying their electric or gas bills. They have both an automated system available to customers (dial 800-842-4565) or you can call to speak to a customer service representative.
We Energies Furnace Assistance is offered to income eligible home owners if their boiler or furnace stops operating during the heating season. Some of the services that can be offered to help customers include providing payment for repairs of heating units, or in some special situations income qualified homeowners may qualify for a total replacement of a non-operating furnace or boiler. Dial your local community action agency or We Energy to get more information or apply.
Electric Assistance can be provided from funding by Wisconsin’s Public Benefits. The state run WHEAP electric assistance program is a one-time payment during the heating season for electric bills. This is not to be used for heating expenses. This grant can pay a portion of the household’s electric bills, and as with most financial assistance programs, the amount someone can receive will vary based on several factors.
Crisis Assistance may be provided to We Energies customers if they have received a disconnect notice, if their heat is turned off or they are out of fuel or heating oil. Crisis assistance is available through local WHEAP community action agencies across Wisconsin. WHEAP provides both proactive and emergency services
Other services can provide counseling on budgeting and money management, information on how to reduce fuel costs, co-pay agreements, and help with providing payments to a fuel supplier.
We Energies disconnection policies are intended to ensure that the disconnection of utility services occurs as a last resort. Customers that fall behind will receive a Disconnection Notice with their monthly utility or gas bill statement advising them that the account is past-due. The notice will request either payment on the account or that the individual enter into payment arrangements. If your service is shut off, reconnection fees will apply to get it turned back on.
Special rules and laws for disconnection of gas and electric services during the winter are followed by We Energies. The regulations are in place to protect the health, safety and life of residential customers across Wisconsin. Note that customers who have the ability to pay for their heating bills during the winter, but who refuse to or don’t pay them, are not protected by the state of Wisconsin winter disconnection rules. The public service commission of Wisconsin set the disconnection rules.
Service members Civil Relief Act is also available to protect military members as well as families of persons called to active duty. This can also include veterans, as WE Energies has some assistance programs targeted towards them as well.
A We Energies program known as protective services emergency for medical emergencies can delay a disconnection of your utilities for up to 21 days. Any person who requests this service must provide proof from their medical provider or from a public health, law enforcement official, or social worker. They need to specify the emergency condition or situation that exists in the home of the patient. They also need to specify the period of time during which disconnection of their utilities will aggravate the circumstances or put the customer at risk.
Applying for assistance or payment plans from WE Energies
There are multiple low income financial assistance programs, grants, and other services offered. Call customer service at 800-242-9137 for details.
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