Help paying your electric bill in Wisconsin
Wisconsin got $112.8 million in the HHS table, about $46 for each of its 2,446,028 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-866-432-8947. Heating help reached 182,938 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin LIHEAP public line1-866-432-8947
- State program siteenergyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin800-225-7729 · 608-266-2001 · psc.wi.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Wisconsin
Wisconsin: cold weather by dates; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - April 15 No disconnections for customers that are below 250% of Federal Poverty Level, or with elderly, disabled, sick, or infants in home. |
| Hot temperature | No disconnects when a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency issued by the national weather service is in effect. |
| Health or age needs | Services must be reconnected during extreme heat events if a doctor confirms there is a medical issue in the household that will be aggravated by the heat |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Service Rules for Electrical Utilities.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, 113.0304, 113.0404, 113.01. Wisconsin PSC 113.0304 bars winter (Nov 1-Apr 15) heat-source disconnection for households at or below 250% of poverty or with health risks, and 113.0301(16) bars disconnection during NWS heat advisories. Medical emergency postponement up to 21 days. 10 days' notice. Quote: “A utility may disconnect only those households whose gross quarterly incomes are above 250% of the federal income poverty guidelines”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | Wisconsin: Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, 113.0304, 113.0404, 113.01 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | PSC 113.0304 applies Nov 1-Apr 15 to nonpayment disconnection of service providing the primary heat source: utility may disconnect only households above 250% of federal poverty guidelines where health/safety would not be endangered; last resort only; no disconnection on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday; in-person visit by end of next work day after disconnection. |
| Heat | PSC 113.0301(16): no disconnection in affected counties while an NWS heat advisory, warning or emergency is in effect; reconnection attempts if occupant reports threat to health/life (physician or official statement may be required). |
| Who is protected | PSC 113.0301(13): up to 21 days postponement/reconnection with a Wisconsin physician's statement or public health/social services/law enforcement notice of a medical or protective services emergency; renewable. |
| Notice | 10 calendar days' written notice by first class mail or personal service on a responsible adult; if not disconnected within 20 days, a further notice left on premises 24-48 hours before; reasonable effort at personal/phone contact; 20 days from bill issuance to pay. |
| Payment plan | Utility must offer deferred payment agreements to residential accounts; must allow service to continue if a reasonable amount is paid and the rest in installments (factors: ability to pay, history, household size, income). |
| Who the rule covers | PSC 113.01: all public utilities supplying electric energy in Wisconsin, whether privately or municipally owned or operated (co-ops not addressed in text read). |
| Complaints | Notice must tell customer they may appeal to PSC staff; PSC 113.0301(12) bars disconnection during dispute investigation. Commission phone not read this session. |
Did not read PSC 113.0407 (disputes), Wis. Stat. 196.60, tariffs, or contact pages; the 250% test is gross quarterly income per the rule text.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Wisconsin: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Wisconsin | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $112,832,158 = $99,859,735 + $1,623,927 IIJA + $11,348,496 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 60% State Median Income | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $30 minimum, $2,147 maximum Crisis: $1,200 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 182,938 Crisis: 87,091 Weatherization: 2,439 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - May 15 Crisis: October 1 - May 15 Weatherization: July 1 - June 30 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVWisconsin in numbers
- Wisconsin ranks 14th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($46), 39th on households below the poverty line (10.6%) and 43rd on low-income energy burden (7.4%).
- Per household below the poverty line (258,855 of them) the FY26 funds come to $436, rank 11th of 51: 30% of a typical year's electricity ($1,451). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 196,982 households got help in FY2022 against 643,199 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 31% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $432, 30% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - May 15. Counted FY2024: heating, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $40 (Illinois) to $55 (Minnesota); low-income burden from 7.4% (Minnesota) to 9.5% (Michigan). Wisconsin: $46 and 7.4%.
Where Wisconsin's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Taylor County 13.7% (2,426 households); Jackson County 12.7% (2,722 households); Buffalo County 12.3% (1,635 households); Burnett County 12.1% (2,234 households).
- Most low-income households: Milwaukee County 136,773 (6.5%); Dane County 51,102 (5.4%); Brown County 28,108 (5.2%).
72 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $75,670.
How heavy is the energy bill in Wisconsin?
7.4% of income in low-income households, 2.4% overall. Ranking, Wisconsin prices.
| Group | Count | Wisconsin detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 643,199 households | 7.4% of income; $1,631 a year on $22,084 | rank 43 of 51 |
| All households | 2,425,488 households | 2.4%; $2,132 on $89,141 | rank 28 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 258,855 households | 10.6% of 2,446,028 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 39 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 18.16 ¢/kWh | bill $121 a month at 666 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Wisconsin
None listed for Wisconsin in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Wisconsin on the map
Next to Wisconsin
Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota. Most FY26 funds per household: Minnesota, $55. Wisconsin: $46. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Wisconsin
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Public Service Commission of Wisconsin sets rules).
- Call 1-866-432-8947 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, 800-225-7729.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How big is the energy burden in Wisconsin?
7.4% of income for low-income households, 2.4% for all; $1,631 a year for the first group.
How many Wisconsin households got energy help?
196,982 in FY2022, 182,938 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $432.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Wisconsin bill?
$436 per poor household, 30% of $1,451.
How much LIHEAP money does Wisconsin get?
$112.8 million in FY2026, $46 per household, rank 14 of 51.
What income limit does Wisconsin use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $75,670; FY2022 heating standard 226% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Wisconsin?
Call 1-866-432-8947. Site: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
Can Wisconsin utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; temperature for heat.