Internet Costs Now Picked Up with Rental Assistance

Office of the Governor – The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which provides rental and utility assistance to households affected by the pandemic, will begin to include coverage of internet costs for qualifying households. To date, the state program has provided more than $38 million to nearly 11,000 households and is working to distribute available funds to eligible households and individuals.

“The past year and a half has underscored the fact that access to affordable high-speed internet is a necessity to how we live, learn and work,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a statement. “This additional resource, coupled with our recent announcement of broadband-access funding across the state should go a long way toward helping folks remain connected, make ends meet and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The state received more than $322 million during the first round of Emergency Rental Assistance Funds. The effort is funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program through the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered in the state by the Department of Administration (DOA).

The end of the federal moratorium on rental evictions ends July 31. 

The DOA has partnered with Wisconsin Community Action agencies and Energy Services to accept applications and distribute rental, internet and utility assistance.