Almost everyone has had the furnace turned on this month and agencies are reminding low-income individuals to apply for heating assistance to pay the bills.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) is a federally-funded program helping 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.
Oneida County Social Services's Amy Mayo says they have the new energy assistance program in effect...
"....People who meet the eligibility criteria there is a standard benefit they would receive. Besides the standard benefit which would help with their heating bills, be it WPS or propane we also have assistance for people who have issues with their furnances, disconnections, or no heat situations...."
Mayo says they look at the last three month's income and who is living in the residence to determine eligibility. She says propane users will have a check sent to their vendor and for the utilities, the credit will be applied to their bill. She says if you call them at 715-362-5695 they will send an application, or you can stop at the Oneida County Courthouse.
They also will have outreach events for people in Minocqua and Three Lakes. October 24 and 26 they will be at the Minocqua Library. October 25 they will be at the Reiter Center in Three Lakes.
