Households with low-to-moderate income may be eligible for assistance from the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. Many households with income from farms, offices, factories and other workplaces receive this assistance that helps with space-heating and electricity costs. Funds are limited, so apply early while money is available.

Benefits
Assistance with:

• Applying for emergency fuel funds:
  • Amount depends on household size, income level and household heating costs.
  • Paid directly to the utility or fuel supplier.
  • The utility or fuel supplier then credits the amount to your account.
  • You will receive notification of the benefit amount.
• Counseling for energy conservation and budgeting for energy costs.
• Community resource referrals.
• Emergency furnace repair and replacement.

To be eligible for assistance

• Your household must pay heating costs directly to a fuel or utility company or heating costs are included in the rent.
• Your gross income is less than the amount shown below for your family size:

Applicants must provide

• Verification of household income for the three-month period before you apply.
• People receiving Social Security or SSI should bring a copy of their most recent check or a letter from Social Security showing your benefits.
• Verification of any interest income received for the previous 12 months.
• Social Security cards and birth dates for all members.
• If your rent includes heat, bring your landlord's name, address and phone.
• For customers outside Columbia, Dane and Sauk counties, written verification of your total heating fuel costs from Sept. 1, 2008, through Aug. 31, 2009. E-mail MGE for this written record at customerservices@mge.com or call 252-7222 or toll free 1-866-252-7080.

For information or to apply for energy assistance, call or write the office in your county. If you are handicapped, call to set up a home visit.

County offices
These are county offices in MGE's service area:

Columbia County 1-800-506-5596
311 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 108
Portage, WI 53901

Crawford County (608) 326-0248
225 N. Beaumont Road, Suite 326
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Dane County (608) 267-8601
1225 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715

Iowa County (608) 935-9311
109 W. Fountain St.
Dodgeville, WI 53533

Juneau County (608) 847-5988
1 Kennedy St.
Mauston, WI 53948

Monroe County (608) 269-1506 or 1-866-766-9215
777 North St.
Sparta, WI 54656

Sauk County (608) 356-8887
916 8th Ave.
Baraboo, WI 53913

Vernon County (608) 637-7434
212 Airport Road
Viroqua, WI 54665

Related link
Wisconsin's Home Energy Assistance Program