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Get Help With Your Energy Bill

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].

Hours of Operation

   
Monday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: CLOSED 
Sunday: CLOSED
For no heat emergency on holidays, evenings or weekends, dial 2-1-1

 
This program is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration.
 

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It's Easy to Apply - Make Your Appointment Today!

Am I Eligible?

The amount of assistance depends on income and energy costs.

In response to COVID19, the State of Wisconsin Division of Administration has approved new income guidelines for Energy Assistance benefits. Instead of customers being tested by 3 months of income, this is being changed to 1 month of income effective March 30, 2020. See income guidelines below.

2023-2024 Income Guidelines*
  Family Size 1-Month Annual
1 $2,820.67 $33,848
2 $3,688.58 $44,263
3 $4,556.50 $54,678
4 $5,424.50 $65,094
5 $6,292.42 $75,509
6 $7,160.33 $85,924
7 $7,323.00 $87,876
8 $7,485.75 $89,829

*Program year 2024 is Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024

How Do I Apply?

Make an Appointment Now!

Now scheduling phone appointments!
Call (414) 270-4-MKE for an appointment.   

 (414) 270-4-MKE

All those seeking shelter, energy assistance or other supportive services in Milwaukee County should contact 2-1-1 for assistance and referrals to community resources through any of the following means:

Dial: 2-1-1, or (414) 773-0211

To avoid being charged a long-distance fee, call 2-1-1 toll-free at (866) 211-3380

Chat online: www.impactinc.org/impact-211

Text your zip code: TXT-211{898-211} Mon. -  Fri. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Call 2-1-1 for a Homeless Services Navigation Center appointment. 

Tips to Prevent Disconnection

  1. Review your monthly bill.
  2. Make a payment every month, even if it is not a full amount.
  3. Work with your utility company to establish a payment plan and or obtain a medical waiver.
  4. Don’t stop paying during the winter moratorium.
  5. Practice energy saving measures in the home.

 

What Should I Bring With Me?

Get more detailed information on what to bring. Click on Energy Assistance checklists:

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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.

Thank You to Our Weatherization Partners

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Milwaukee County Energy Assistance in the News

Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services Respond to Record Number of Furnace Calls During Polar Vortex

Press Release

The Milwaukee County DHHS Energy Assistance Program saw a record number of calls for help repairing or replacing furnaces during the extreme cold weather triggered by the polar vortex...

Read Full Article

2/7

Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services Keeps Homes Warm With Energy Assistance, Even With Winter Weather on the Way

Press Release

The Milwaukee County DHHS Energy Assistance Program, along with the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), encourages families who are having trouble with their energy bills to apply, so upcoming bills with severe winter weather outside don’t take too big a bite out of the monthly budget...

Read Full Article

1/18

Weatherization Day to Celebrate Home Efficiency, and Help Low-Income Families Stay Warm

Press Release

The Milwaukee County DHHS Energy Assistance Program, in partnership with the Wisconsin Home Energy Plus program providers, is celebrating National Weatherization Day on Tuesday, Oct. 30...

Read Full Article

10/30

Early Applications Being Accepted for Energy Assistance in Milwaukee County

People signing up for Energy Assistance

by: Staff - Fox6 News

An opportunity to learn more about Milwaukee County’s Energy Assistance Program took place on Saturday, Sept. 29...

Read Full Article

10/12

How to Apply for Energy Assistance in Wisconsin This Winter

People signing up for Energy Assistance

by: Justin Thompson-Gee - CBS58 News

Now that temperatures have cooled into the 30s everywhere, you can apply for energy assistance. To apply visit the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) website at homeenergyplus.wi.gov or call (866) 432-8947...

Read Full Article

10/12

Want More? Click Here to Visit the DHHS News Archives

DHHS logo

Archives contain material back to September 2018

 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1220 W. Vliet St.

Suite 301

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205

Our Vision

Together, creating healthy communities.

Our Mission

Empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives.

Our Values

Partnership, Respect, Integrity, 

Diversity, Excellence

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