Energy Assistance in Madison, WI
In Madison, Wisconsin, home winter costs can be a large problem for low-income families, particularly in a tumultuous economic environment. To help the most in-need households pay winter heating costs, the state of Wisconsin's WHEAP, or Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, provides energy funding for 225,000 homes annually. Federally funded by LIHEAP, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, WHEAP is state-run but funds are distributed to Madison residents at the local level.
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Funding
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In 2009, WHEAP funding helped pay for home winter costs in 173,000 out of 890,000 eligible Wisconsin homes, using nearly $130 million in state LIHEAP funding from the federally allocated $5.1 billion. In 2010, the funding rose slightly to $145.6 million. With the nation's poverty level at up 14.3 percent as of 2009, the highest since 1994, Congress is considering raising the federal LIHEAP allocation for fiscal 2011, which can mean a boost in funding for Wisconsin, and ultimately Madison residents.
Program Information
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In Wisconsin, WHEAP provides eligible households with block grants to help offset the cost of winter heating bills, which are paid directly to the home's energy provider as a one-time payment between Oct. 1 and May 15. In addition, WHEAP funds are allocated for emergency energy crisis intervention, community outreach and education, and furnace or energy system repair.
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Eligibility
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Madison residents interested in obtaining WHEAP funding in the 2010-11 eligibility season must earn 60 percent of the state's median income, or approximately $3,900 per month for a family of four. Applicants in the state must also earn a combined household income of no more than 130 percent of the federal poverty level, or FPL. In Wisconsin, recipients may earn less, and special consideration is given to those who are elderly, disabled or have children under 5 in the home.
Application
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To apply for WHEAP funding in Madison, residents may call 1-866-432-8947, or contact their local energy assistance agency directly. All applicants must fill out the Home Energy Plus application to be considered eligible, and will need to prove their income, identity and home heating costs on the application.
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