Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

The two basic parts of energy assistance are regular benefits and crisis assistance. In addition, HE+ HVAC Program Services and HE+ Water Conservation Program Services are operated under WHEAP. For more website information on these Program Services, see Provider Resources → Energy → HVAC/Water Conservation Assistance

​WHEAP benefits are not guaranteed to eligible households. When funds have been exhausted for a program year, there are n​o benefits issued to households regardless of eligibility.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance​ Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the federal government and ​​​focuses primarily on heating assistance for low-income households.

Public Benefits

The Public Benefits (PB) program is funded by fees collected by electric utilities and provides benefits for non-heating electric use. It was created in 1999 as a part of Wisconsin's biennial budget bill and operates a low-income fund into which electric providers in the state contribute an amount primarily generated by a fee added to customers’ electric bills. The money in this fund is divided between the energy assistance program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

The law that established the PB program permits cooperative and municipal utilities to operate a Commitment to Community Program instead of participating in the state PB fund. Customers of utilities choosing to operate a Commitment to Community Program are not eligible for benefits from the state’s PB programs (under energy assistance or Weatherization).​
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