It's as Easy as 1-2-3!
The Energy Assistance Program provides qualified Milwaukee County residents with a one-time, annual payment toward heating and electric bills. The funding pays a portion of energy costs determined by household size, income and energy costs. The benefit is usually paid directly to the energy supplier.
1. Check out the rules!
If you have a utility bill and are within our income guidelines, you probably qualify!
2. Apply!
Schedule an appointment now
Call (414) 270-4-MKE or 2-1-1 to have an operator schedule an appointment for you
Click here to apply online
We care about the safety and health of all our customers. Due to the public health emergency surrounding the Coronavirus, in-person applications are not being conducted. You may apply via phone, mail or online. You may schedule your own phone appointment at the scheduling link above or by calling (414) 270-4-MKE. If you prefer to apply online, the link to apply online is located above as well.
We are encouraging everyone to visit the website for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and review the “Steps to Prevent Illness.”
3. Qualify!
Complete the application with one of our Energy Specialists and your benefit will go directly to your utility account! Scroll down for a list of things you may need to bring with you to your appointment.
If you a completed an application interview and need to return verification documents to expedite your Energy Assistance application:
Note: Please be sure to black out your social security number, date of birth, bank account numbers or EIN prior to submitting the documents.
If you are seeking the status of your application, you will receive a benefit status letter in the mail within 7-14 business days after your verification documents have been received. If it has been more than 14 business days, please call (414) 270-4653.
Things Didn't Go as Planned?
If you have a complaint in regard to your experience with the Energy Assistance Program, please call (414) 289-6656 or email and a representative will follow up with you within 48 hours.
Milwaukee County residents who are in need of additional information, have questions or are requesting an update of their online application status and/or payment of benefits, please contact ESI at 414-800-4240, 1-800-506-5596 or [email protected].
You May Qualify for More Help
Qualifying for Energy Assistance gives you access to other benefits:
Emergency Crisis Assistance
To qualify for emergency crisis, customers must be experiencing an actual or imminent loss of essential home energy.
- The preapproved range for crisis assistance is $100 to $800 for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance and $100 to $400 for PB Crisis Assistance.
- Deliverable fuel customers are eligible for the cost of a minimum delivery/fill.
- Households must have paid at least $25 on their account in the past three months to qualify for Emergency Crisis. This contribution may be either from the customer's own funds, or from a non-WHEAP assistance program.
Please note:
- The extra funding that was available due to the COVID pandemic has ended, at this time Energy Assistance is not able to provide the same level of crisis assistance that has been available since 2020.
- Please contact your Energy Provider(s) to see about payment plans or similar arrangements to help your household catch up and keep up with your bills.
Heating System Repair or Replacement
If you are approved for Energy Assistance, you may also be approved for a furnace repair or replacement, dial 211 at any time, 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week, and we will help you repair, or even replace when necessary, your non-operating heating system.
Homeowners who qualify for WHEAP benefits can qualify for furnace repair. Renters can qualify. Your landlord must also be eligible for WHEAP.
Fuel Oil or Other Bulk Fuel
Bulk fuels like propane and fuel oil often require a minimum order for the fuel company to deliver and the need never arises at a convenient time. Crisis Assistance may be available to help you meet the minimum order cost.
Weatherization Program
One of the best ways to make sure your energy bills stay where you can afford them is to make sure your home uses energy efficiently. Your local weatherization agency can help you insulate your home and water heater, install energy-efficient lighting, reduce air leakage and replace old and inefficient appliances and heating systems. The Weatherization Program targets homes with excessive energy use and homes with elderly or disabled residents, or young children (under six years old).
We can insulate attics and walls, install energy efficient lighting and thermostats, seal up air leaks and provide money-saving tips on maintenance and conservation.
Milwaukee County Energy Assistance in the News