Assistance available to help families pay for water bills

To help with utility costs for households in need, $18 million in funding is available through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The program was authorized as part of an emergency effort to respond to COVID-19 and marks the first time that these water assistance funds have been made available for Wisconsin residents.

“We know Wisconsinites are stretched thin, with businesses facing supply chain challenges and Wisconsin families seeing costs in their everyday lives go up, and we want them to know that help is available, especially now during the winter season,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “These critical funds will help alleviate some of the financial stress families are facing and ensure that folks have the resources they need to make ends meet.”

To date, $86,176,302 in benefits have been provided to 20,096 households for rental, utility and other housing assistance needs, through the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) program. Since the start of the heating season in October, the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) issued benefits to 74,765 households, for $41,027,864.

The average heating and electric benefits are $392 and $182, respectively.

“No one should be left without heat or means to pay their bills during the holiday season,” said Department of Administration (DOA) secretary Joel Brennan.

The DOA is working with Energy Services, Inc. (ESI) for LIHWAP application intake. Eligibility is based on household income, household size, and the household’s water and utility burden.

Residents may be eligible if they earn 60 percent of the state median income level or less. Eligible applicants for LIHWAP first need to apply and qualify for WHEAP.

“So many families have lost hours, wages or had their costs increase for the basic things they need to live during the pandemic,” said DOA Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources Division administrator Susan Brown.

Rent and additional utility assistance is also available through the WERA program. The DOA has partnered with Wisconsin Community Action agencies and ESI to accept applications and distribute rental, internet and utility assistance. Residents of Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha counties and the cities of Madison and Milwaukee can apply directly to their local government’s rental assistance provider.

Wisconsin residents who wish to apply for assistant, should call 211, 1-800-506-5596 or visit doa.wi.gov.