The furnaces have come on for the season and local governments are again offering heating assistance to eligible residents.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program helps lower the burden from monthly energy costs. Most types of fuel are eligible to receive assistance. Whether you use wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil to heat your home, energy assistance is available if you qualify.
Tracy Paquette is Energy Services Coordinator for Oneida County Social Services. She says they can help...
"...They have to have an energy burden. That means they have to be paying utilities. They can also have their utilities included in their rent. We can help that way. If they have the energy burden and meet the income guidelines we can certainly help them..."
She says for those whose income qualifies, emergency help is also available...
"..If somebody had a furnace issue or they are about to be disconnected or are already disconnected, we would put those applications up front and process those quicker. Otherwise, we have 30 days to process the application, but usually it doesn't take that long...."
Your local Department of Social Services can give you the income guidelines and more information, or you can go on the state website. We have a link here.
