MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced more than $21 million to cover unpaid and overdue utility bills for thousands of Wisconsin residents.
The money is going to more than 36,000 qualifying utility customers across the state through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. It was distributed to people who previously applied for assistance through WHEAP and had accounts in arrears as of April 9.
“This year has been tough for folks and families, and we know there are so many who’ve struggled to make ends meet,” Evers said.
Evers announced the initiative Wednesday along with officials from the Public Service Commission and Department of Administration, which oversees the WHEAP. The funding comes from Wisconsin’s federal FY21 allocation for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“Providing this funding through an already-successful program ensures that the funds can be distributed quickly and efficiently without creating additional burdens to the utility customer,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan.
In March 2020, following Evers’ “Safer at Home” order, the Public Service Commission ordered several consumer protections allowing people to stay safe in their homes and maintain utility service even if their financial situation prevented them from paying their utility bills on time.
For more information on WHEAP, visit this website. Utility customers experiencing other housing or home energy needs should contact 1-800-506-5596 or support@wheap.help.
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