Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program Can Help with Heating Costs this Winter

You or someone you know may be eligible for help with home heating bills. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home heating costs. The amount of heating assistance benefit depends on the household’s size, income and heating costs. Income qualification for WHEAP is currently based on 60 percent of the state median income level in a three-month period.

You may qualify for assistance if your gross income for the last three months is less than the amount shown for your family size: 1 person, $6,400; 2 people, $8,370; 3 people, $10, 339; 4 people, $12,308; 5 people, $14,277; 6 people, $16,247; 7 people, $16,616; and 8 people, $16,985.

WHEAP energy assistance is a one-time yearly benefit payment. Benefits are normally available Oct. 1-May 15. You do not have to pay the money back, and it is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating your home. Your heating assistance benefit may be sent directly to your fuel supplier. You may also qualify for assistance in caulking, weather-stripping and insulation. We Are HOPE, Inc., is the Door County contact for these programs. Call 920.743.7273 for more information.