Resource Binder
Electrical/Energy Assistance
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Covid Update from MGE
On March 18, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin lifted the disconnection moratorium, which means utilities can start disconnecting customers due to nonpayment. MGE is not disconnecting residential customers at this time and is offering customers who contact them personalized payment plans that will help them avoid late payment charges and disconnection. Without a payment plan in place, customers with past-due balances will be subject to late payment charges starting April 1 and could face disconnection in the future.
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)
Phone Number: Energy Services Inc: (800) 506-5596
For more info on WHEAP: 1-866-432-8947
Dane County Office: (608) 267-8601
About the Agency: WHEAP helps with heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations to help lower the burden of monthly energy costs.
Who can use this resource? Check income guidelines!
Next Steps:
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Go to Energy Services, Inc. to determine eligibility and fill out application.
Energy Services, Inc.
1225 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
**If veteran or widow of a veteran, patient may be eligible for additional assistance (See Heat for Heroes)
**For emergency energy assistance, see Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund or Emergency Assistance Grant.
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Bring required documentation (WHEAP_Checklist)
**NOTE** WHEAP only helps during the heating season (October 1 -May 15) HOWEVER patient can also apply for crisis funding, which can only be used once a year. You may use crisis funding in the summer months if you need it!
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You would still need to schedule an appointment with a WHEAP worker at energy services and fill out an application. If it is after May 15th, 2020, the application would be denied, and you would be eligible to receive crisis funding during the summer months.
**Depends on funding!**
Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) Budget Payment Plan
Phone number: (608) 252-7080 (Customer service)
About this resource: This is a payment plan that divides your estimated energy usage over 11 months. This allows costs to be more evenly spread out over the year and not one huge payment all at once.
Who can use this resource? Any residential account that MG&E provides utility service to. This includes any home or apartment that has gas and electric service, gas only, or electric only.
Next Steps:
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Call (608) 252-7080 or 1-866-252-7080 (customer service) from 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM
**This probably the easiest way to set up a Budget Payment Plan. This is just the call center number. Patient may need to have account number ready.
OR
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Go to MG&E Office to apply in person.
Madison Gas and Electric Co.
623 Railroad Rd.
Madison, WI 53703
Open: Monday-Friday 8 AM- 5 PM
OR
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Preview your monthly budget and apply online.
Keep Wisconsin Warm and Cool Fund
Phone: 1-800-891-9276 (Option 3)
About this resource: Emergency energy assistance in winter and summer
Who can use this resource? Individuals experiencing significant energy burden where other available resources are inadequate. If an individual qualifies for WHEAP, they may qualify for supplemental support from the fund. Resource is used mostly for energy emergencies.
Next Steps:
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Find out if individual qualifies for WHEAP- Check income guidelines.
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If they qualify and do not have WHEAP, they can apply at Energy Services, Inc. (make sure to bring required documents… See WHEAP_Checklist) and mention interest in applying for Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool fund.
Energy Services, Inc.
1225 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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If they have WHEAP, they may call 1-800-891-9276 (Option 3) to get more information on the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund and learn more on how to apply OR call Energy Services, Inc. at 800-506-5596 to learn more about how to apply for additional assistance.
**This program is different than WHEAP.
Heat for Heroes
Phone: 1-800-891-9276 (Option 1)
About this resource: Provides energy assistance to veterans to alleviate life-threatening energy related emergencies (for example, out of fuel, disconnection of services, broken furnace, behind on utility bills).
Who can use this resource? Veteran, widow or widower of a veteran
Next Steps:
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Find out if individual qualifies for WHEAP. Check income guidelines.
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If they qualify and do not have WHEAP, they can apply at Energy Services, Inc. (make sure to bring required documents… See WHEAP_Checklist) and mention interest in applying for Heat for Heroes (will need to bring documentation of military service).
Energy Services, Inc.
1225 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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If they have WHEAP, they may call 1-800-891-9276 (Option 1) to get more information on the Heat for Heroes and learn more on how to apply OR call Energy Services, Inc. at 800-506-5596 to learn more about how to apply for additional assistance.
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If an individual does not qualify for WHEAP, you can call 1-800-891-9276 (Option 1) OR contact Heat for Heroes online (https://heat4heroes.org/Apply-For-Assistance). The patient may still qualify for assistance.
**This program is different than WHEAP.
Dane County Department of Human Services Emergency Assistance Grant
Phone number: 608-242-7458
About the Agency: Provides a one-time payment that can help low-income parents pay and emergency housing or utility-related expense
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Pay utility bills if your heat, electricity, sewer, or water service has been turned off
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Pay a security deposit on a new apartment if you have been evicted
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Stop an eviction from current apartment
**Cannot be used for past-due energy applications
Who can use this resource? Low income individuals who have at least one child in the house and are facing an emergency.
Emergencies include:
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Fire, flood, or natural disaster
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Homelessness or impending homelessness
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Energy Crisis
**You may not apply if you have received an Emergency Assistance payment in the last 12 months.
To Apply for Emergency Assistance
OR
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You can also come to the Dane County Job Center to submit an application:
1819 Aberg Avenue, Madison, WI
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Please do NOT fax or mail in applications
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Bring required documents (Emergency Assistance Checklist).
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Open: Monday-Friday 7:45 AM-4:30 PM
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UW Health Derzon Fund
About this resource: The Derzon Fund is used to help UW Health patients with expenses such as transportation, medications, lodging, meals, and other needs that may arise.
Who can use this resource? All UW Health patients BUT this resource should only be used if all other options have been exhausted.
** At Wingra, some patients are considered Access patients, and some are considered UW Health patient (Double check with front desk staff to find out if a patient is a UW Health patient)
Next Steps:
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Talk to Lane (lane@patientpartnerships.org) to see if patient is eligible.
Focus On Energy
Phone: 1-800-762-7077
About this resource: This program is designed to maximize energy efficiency in your home. *basically, if you install new/energy efficient equipment into your home and this program will give you incentives ($$). All equipment must be approved and installed by a Trade Ally Contractor.
Who can use this resource? Anyone that is a customer of a participating utility company and meets eligibility guidelines.
Next Steps:
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Read through the 2019 Income Eligibility Application Guidelines. Make sure the individual meets the income guidelines and is a customer of a participating utility company.
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Call 1-800-762-7077 to learn more about how to apply and eligibility for this resource.
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Open: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM