Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

• Electric bill payment help is available to Wisconsin residents through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The federally funded program is administered through local utility companies. To receive LIHEAP, applicants' household incomes cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. They also cannot exceed the Wisconsin median annual income by more than 60 percent. For example, as of April 2011, a family of two people cannot have gross annual wages that exceed $32,127 to qualify for the assistance. When requesting LIHEAP assistance, applicants must submit documents such as pay stubs, utility shut-off notices and Social Security cards and birth certificates for everyone living at their home.
  
  

Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund

• Concerned citizens contribute to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund. Residents who are struggling to pay their electric bills and who meet the fund's income guidelines can contact the fund for financial assistance. For example, as of April 2011, a family of four could not have a gross income that exceeded $47,245 a year to qualify for the support. Copies of recent utility bills, Social Security cards for every person living in the home and proof of income (e.g. pay stubs) over the last three months are required to receive support through the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund.
  
  

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

• One-time payments are made to Wisconsin residents who struggle to pay their electric bills through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. People who have received a shut-off notice from their electric company should contact the assistance program. They must meet the program's income guidelines. For example, a family of five people cannot earn more than $13,069 over a three-month period, as of April 2011. Money from the assistance program is paid directly to homeowners or renters; upon applicants' request, the funds are also sent directly to the utility company.
  
  

Home Care Energy Fund

• Alliant Energy customers can get help to pay their electric bills through the company's Home Care Energy Fund. The fund provides one-time grants to qualifying applicants. Elderly residents, disabled people and those experiencing financial hardships are given priority to receive the assistance. If Alliant Energy customers have received a shut-off notice, they should contact the utility company and apply for assistance through the Home Care Energy Fund.