Wisconsin Energy Companies Urge Customers Behind on Energy Bills to Apply for Energy Assistance

Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(By Joe Schulz, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin utilities are urging customers who may have gotten behind on their energy bills to apply for energy assistance or inquire about payment plans ahead of the state’s utility disconnection moratorium ending on April 15, according to Joe Schulz with Wisconsin Public Radio

"The last thing we want to do as an energy company is disconnect anyone, so we're really urging them (customers) to be proactive if they need assistance," said Veronica Stober, manager of credit collections at Alliant Energy.

But advocates argue recent rate increases have made it difficult for consumers to afford rising energy bills, along with other inflationary price increases. They also said the end of the disconnection moratorium disproportionately affects people of color and low-income households.

"Families are faced with impossible choices between paying for food, rent, child care, health care or keeping the electricity on," said Cassie Steiner, senior campaign coordinator for the Sierra Club-Wisconsin Chapter. "(The) energy burden in Wisconsin is a compounding crisis that must be addressed, and utilities and the (Public Service Commission of Wisconsin) are in the position to do so."

The main forms of energy assistance available to Wisconsinites are the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program through the state, or an assistance program through the nonprofit Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund.

Those programs are available to people making 60 percent or less of the state’s median household income. For example, a family of five earning $5,968 or less per month would qualify.

Last year, the state energy assistance program paid $120 million to aid households. Through March 22 this year, according to the Public Service Commission, $80.7 million funded assistance to roughly 150,000 households.

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