Wisconsin energy assistance
In Wisconsin, a household of 4 qualifies for WHEAP energy assistance with gross income up to $6,388.42 a month, or $76,661 a year (2026–27 programme, Wisconsin Department of Administration).
- Programme
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), part of Home Energy Plus
- Run by
- Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
- Programme year
- 2026–27: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027; heating benefits October 1, 2026 to May 15, 2027
- Also called
- WHEAP, Home Energy Plus, HE+, Wisconsin LIHEAP, Wisconsin energy assistance
Wisconsin income limits, 2026–27
Maximum household gross income by household size: 60% of Wisconsin state median income.
| Household size | One month (tested) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,322 | $39,864 |
| 2 people | $4,344.08 | $52,129 |
| 3 people | $5,366.25 | $64,395 |
| 4 people | $6,388.42 | $76,661 |
| 5 people | $7,410.58 | $88,927 |
| 6 people | $8,432.75 | $101,193 |
| 7 people | $8,624.33 | $103,492 |
| 8 people | $8,816 | $105,792 |
Wisconsin tests the household's gross income (before taxes and deductions) for the one month before the month you apply, and annualizes it. Self-employed people, farmers and seasonal workers are assessed on the previous year's tax return or the last 12 months.
Source: PY27 WHEAP Manual, Appendix E (revised August 2026), page 165 (our copy, PDF).
How much you can get
The heating benefit is a one-time payment for the heating season, usually paid straight to the energy supplier. It depends on household size, income and energy costs. Wisconsin's FFY2027 LIHEAP plan puts heating benefits between $30 and $2,784; a calculated benefit under $30 is not paid. Households may also get a separate payment toward non-heating electricity, funded by Wisconsin's Public Benefits Program.
Source: Wisconsin FFY2027 LIHEAP State Plan, section 2.6; 2026–2027 Home Energy Plus brochure (our copy, PDF).
When to apply
Wisconsin's heating season, set in state law, runs October 1 to May 15. Applications dated after May 15, 2027 are denied for the regular heating benefit, although eligible households can still get crisis prevention help, furnace repair (HE+ HVAC) and weatherization until the programme year ends on September 30, 2027. If you contacted an agency by May 15 but could not get an appointment in time, the application can be backdated.
Source: PY27 WHEAP Manual, sections 1 and 3 (our copy, PDF).
Emergency and crisis help
Crisis Assistance is for households with no heat, a disconnect notice, or nearly out of fuel and unable to buy more. You must be WHEAP-eligible for the year, buy energy directly from a participating supplier, and have paid at least $25 on that account in the past three months. It is limited to two payments and $1,600 in total per programme year, unless the local agency gets a waiver. Local agencies run a 24-hour crisis phone line. If your furnace or boiler stops working, the Wisconsin HVAC Assistance Program can pay for repair or replacement for eligible homeowners.
Source: PY27 WHEAP Manual, sections 2.4 and 5.2; FFY2027 State Plan, section 4.12 (our copy, PDF).
How to apply
- Online. Apply at energybenefit.wi.gov. energybenefit.wi.gov
- Phone. Call 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947) to find your local WHEAP agency and apply by phone.
- Local agency. Each county or tribe has a WHEAP agency that takes applications in person and runs the crisis line. energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/energy-assistance.aspx
- Paper application. The Home Energy Plus Application (revised June 2026). Download the form (PDF)
Source: 2026–2027 Home Energy Plus brochure; WHEAP application checklist (our copy, PDF).
What to bring
- Social Security number and date of birth for everyone in the household
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, a document showing lawful immigration status
- Your heating account number and your primary heating costs for the last 12 months, plus copies of your electric bill
- If you rent, your landlord's name, address and phone number, or your lease
- Proof of gross income for everyone in the household for the month before the month you apply (pay stubs, tax documents, award letters)
Source: WHEAP Application Checklist (revised June 2026) (our copy, PDF).
Also worth knowing
Eligibility set by a regular WHEAP application carries over to Crisis Assistance and HE+ furnace services for the rest of the programme year, to September 30, 2027.
Source: PY27 WHEAP Manual, section 2.5 (our copy, PDF).
The Weatherization Assistance Program, run by local agencies, can add insulation, seal air leaks, repair or replace an inefficient furnace or boiler, and replace an old refrigerator, for homeowners and renters.
Source: 2026–2027 Home Energy Plus brochure (our copy, PDF).
Official documents
Unchanged copies of Wisconsin Department of Administration’s documents, hosted here so they stay reachable. Each links to the original on the agency’s site.
- 2026–2027 Home Energy Plus brochure PDF · 2026–27
Income chart, what WHEAP pays for, crisis help and how to apply.
Original on the agency site - PY27 WHEAP Manual (revised August 2026) PDF · PY27
The full rules agencies follow: eligibility, income test, crisis limits, deadlines. Income table in Appendix E.
Original on the agency site - Wisconsin LIHEAP State Plan, FFY2027 PDF · FFY2027
Wisconsin's plan filed with the federal government: dates, minimum and maximum benefits, crisis maximum.
Original on the agency site - Home Energy Plus Application (R06/2026) PDF · Current form
The paper application.
Original on the agency site - WHEAP Application Checklist (revised June 2026) PDF · Current
What to have ready before you apply.
Original on the agency site
Not published yet, or not found
- A published benefit matrix (Wisconsin calculates each benefit by formula; only the $30 minimum and $2,784 maximum are published)
Figures checked against the official documents on November 1, 2026. Programmes can change amounts during the season when federal funding changes; the agency’s own page is the final word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Wisconsin energy assistance in 2026–27?
For the 2026–27 programme year (PY27), the limit is 60% of Wisconsin's state median income: $3,322.00 a month for one person, $5,366.25 for three and $6,388.42 for a household of four ($76,661 a year), counting gross income in the month before you apply.
When does Wisconsin energy assistance open and close?
The heating season runs October 1 to May 15. Applications dated after May 15, 2027 do not get the regular heating benefit, though crisis prevention help, furnace repair and weatherization stay available to eligible households until September 30, 2027.
How much does WHEAP pay?
Wisconsin's FFY2027 plan sets heating benefits between $30 and $2,784, depending on household size, income and energy costs. Crisis Assistance is separate: up to $1,600 and two payments a year.
What is the WHEAP phone number?
1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947). It connects you to your local WHEAP agency, which also runs a 24-hour line for no-heat emergencies.
Can I get help if my furnace breaks?
Yes, if you are a WHEAP-eligible homeowner (and some renters). The Wisconsin HVAC Assistance Program can pay to repair a heating system that has stopped working or become unsafe, or in some cases to replace it. Call your local WHEAP agency straight away.