With the arrival of cold weather in the United States, assistance programs for heating bills also arrive. These are federal and state programs that help low-income households pay their utility bills, as explained by Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). They mainly refer to the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which have been delayed due to the federal government shutdown.
According to statements from Wisconsin Department of Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary Diana Maas to WXPR, this year, federal funding for these types of programs has been further delayed because of the shutdown. WHEAP is not intended to cover all annual energy costs, but it does help with a one-time payment during the heating season from October 1 to May 15. Eligibility requirements include household income, household size, and the number of people living in it. To access this type of assistance, citizens can apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Energy assistance programs
One of the main aids offered by U.S. authorities when the cold arrives is energy assistance programs, through which they help low-income families and households cope with heating bills. According to information from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) uses state and federal funds to help low-income households pay their utility bills. These funds have been notably delayed after 43 days of federal government shutdown. This situation not only affected the Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), but also left the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, without funding.
According to statements made by the Wisconsin Department of Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary, Diana Maas, to WXPR, “I would say it’s not unusual that we still don’t have our LIHEAP award as we enter the colder months. However, it is certainly more delayed this year due to the shutdown.” In her statements to Wisconsin Today, she encouraged citizens to apply for this aid: “We are accepting applications right now so that as soon as we receive the federal dollars, we can disburse them accordingly”.
What does WHEAP consist of?
According to officials, “The payment is not intended to cover the entire annual energy costs of a residence.” It is a one-time payment that can be made from October 1 to May 15, which helps eligible households cover part of their energy bill. More than 189,000 households were served by this program last year in 2024.
Eligibility
The main eligibility requirements for the Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) include that the household income must be below 60% of the state average, the household size, and the people living in it. For a one-person household, the maximum annual income allowed to qualify is $38,421. For a two-person household, the maximum is $50,243. For a family of four, annual eligibility is limited to $73,888. According to 2024 data, the average amount provided in 2024 was $315.
Submit your application
According to officials, the corresponding application can be submitted online on the official government website. They estimate that the process may take between 45 minutes and an hour. It can also be done by phone, by mail, or in person at a local agency. The form will require information such as the applicant’s date of birth and income information for both the applicant and household members. You will also need to specify the energy fuels used by the company and the account number found on your bill.