WHEAP Energy Assistance

Home Energy Plus (HE+) includes the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Weatherization Assistance, and HE+ Program Services.

  • WHEAP Energy Assistance provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.
  • Weatherization helps renters and homeowners reduce their energy consumption.
  • HE+ Program Services provides services to eligible homeowners and some renters to repair or replace their heating systems, leaky or non-working water heaters, leaky fixtures, toilets, and piping.

Operating with federal and state funding, the programs provide energy assistance payments to over 200,000 households and weatherization services to more than 6,000 households in Wisconsin each year.

Through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Western Dairyland is able to help households with a one-time payment during the heating season which runs from October 1 to May 15. The funding pays a portion of energy costs, and the payment is not intended to cover the entire annual energy costs of a residence. The amount of energy assistance varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household's size, income, and energy costs. The benefit is paid directly to the household's energy supplier.  

To Apply in Clark, Eau Claire,
or Trempealeau County

  • Option 1: Call Western Dairyand at 715-836-7511 to schedule a phone or in-person appointment. During your appointment, a Western Dairyland representative will guide you through the programs, services, and application process.

  • Option 2: Complete the fillable application and email your saved document to energy@wdeoc.org or print and return it to Western Dairyland at 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703.

    Application : English | Spanish | Hmong

  • Option 3: Call Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 or email energy@wdeoc.org to request an application be sent to you. The completed application and required documents may be returned by mail, email, or dropped off at the Western Dairyland office in downtown Eau Claire. Our mailing address is 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703.

If you have any questions or need assistance, call us at 715-836-7511. Priority is given to applicants in a crisis situatin or at risk of a shut off.

After your application is processed, the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration will send you a benefit notice referencing the amount of assistance you are eligible to receive. In most cases the payment is made directly to the household energy supplier.

IMPORTANT - If you are in an emergency situation with no heat, please tell us immediately so we may assist you as soon as possible.

Am I Eligible?

If your household gross income (before taxes and other deductions) is less than the amount shown on this chart, you might be eligible to receive WHEAP assistance.

Income Guidelines for 2023-2024 Program Year
(60 Percent of the State Median Income)

Household
Size

1 Month
Income

Annual
Income

1

$2,820.67

$33,848

2

$3,688.58

$44,263

3

$4,556.50

$54,678

4

$5,424.50

$65,094

5

$6,292.42

$75,509

6

$7,160.33

$85,924

7

$7,323.00

$87,876

8

$7,485.75

$89,829

What Information Do I Need?

To avoid unnecessary delays, applicants will need to provide Social Security numbers for all household members and verification of all income for the previous month for all household members. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Wages -  Copies of paystubs or a printout from each employer showing gross income for each check date in the previous month for each household member. 
  • Child Support - You will need to provide verification of the gross amount and the date of each payment received in the previous month. If you pay child support, verification from your paystub or printout from the child support office showing the previous month is required for this to be an eligible deduction. 
  • Social Security, SSDI, SSI, Veterans benefit, Railroad Retirement, etc. - Gross monthly amount must be verified with a copy of an award letter or recent bank statement listing direct deposit. 
  • Pensions, Annuities, IRA's, Interest/ Dividends, Royalties - Gross dollar amounts must be verified covering a 12-month period with a copy of the most recent 1040 Income tax return, the most recent 1099 tax statement or a written statement from the source of the payment. 
  • Self-Employment, Rental income or cash work - copy of most recent 1040 Income Tax Return including all supporting schedules (The most common tax schedules are Schedule C, Schedule F, Schedule E) If taxes have not been filed, the agency will provide a form to be completed. 
  • Seasonal Workers - Must provide 12 month income verification for wages and unemployment. Copies of the most recent W2's and 1099 are acceptable.

You May Qualify for More Help

When you apply for WHEAP Energy Assistance, you may qualify for multiple services:

Energy Crisis Assistance

Furnace Repair & Replacement

Water Conservation Program

Weatherization

To instead apply online through ESI: Energy Services Inc., click here and you will be redirected to complete an online application for Energy Assistance with a different agency based in Madison, WI. Their number is 800-506-5596. They are contracted with the State of Wisconsin and are not affiliated with Western Dairyland.

Related Services

WHEAP Energy Assistance

Energy Crisis Assistance

Furnace Repair & Replacement

Water Conservation Program

Weatherization

Office Locations

Western Dairyland
Eau Claire Office

 

Western Dairyland
Independence Office




A complete description of these programs is on the Home Energy Plus website.

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