MONROE - In Wisconsin, residents are protected from having their utilities turned off during the winter months.
"Each year we see a number of individuals and families who are struggling with their utility costs and are facing disconnection," said Jeannie Blumer, Economic Support supervisor at Green County Human Services.
According to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), protective dates in Wisconsin run from Nov. 1 to April 15, and are based on temperature.
The assistance program is federally-funded and helps low-income households pay their home heating and cooling bills, and acts as an information resource for state, tribal and local LIHEAP providers, and others interested in low-income energy issues.
No disconnection can be made in Wisconsin during extreme weather, unless as a last resort after all other legal means of collection have been attempted, and only if the household income is greater than 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Any elderly with health or safety concerns, small children, or those with mental disabilities would not be endangered. The utility also must have an approved winter disconnection plan on file. Disconnection is also prohibited when a heat advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect.
Residents can get a 21-day delay if a physician, or social services, public health or law enforcement representatives certifies to medical or protective services there is an emergency. Customers must agree to a payment plan.
By Wisconsin state law, any public utility or any fuel distributor furnishing heat, light or power to a residential customer must provide written notice of intent to disconnect or discontinue service during the months of November to April. They must also include information concerning any federal, state or local program that provides assistance for fuel or home heating bills.
"For those families that qualify for energy assistance, there may be some crisis assistance we can use to help prevent disconnection," Blumer said.
She urges families facing disconnection to contact Green County Human Services by calling 328-9344 to schedule an appointment with an energy assistance staff member.
"Each year we see a number of individuals and families who are struggling with their utility costs and are facing disconnection," said Jeannie Blumer, Economic Support supervisor at Green County Human Services.
According to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), protective dates in Wisconsin run from Nov. 1 to April 15, and are based on temperature.
The assistance program is federally-funded and helps low-income households pay their home heating and cooling bills, and acts as an information resource for state, tribal and local LIHEAP providers, and others interested in low-income energy issues.
No disconnection can be made in Wisconsin during extreme weather, unless as a last resort after all other legal means of collection have been attempted, and only if the household income is greater than 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Any elderly with health or safety concerns, small children, or those with mental disabilities would not be endangered. The utility also must have an approved winter disconnection plan on file. Disconnection is also prohibited when a heat advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect.
Residents can get a 21-day delay if a physician, or social services, public health or law enforcement representatives certifies to medical or protective services there is an emergency. Customers must agree to a payment plan.
By Wisconsin state law, any public utility or any fuel distributor furnishing heat, light or power to a residential customer must provide written notice of intent to disconnect or discontinue service during the months of November to April. They must also include information concerning any federal, state or local program that provides assistance for fuel or home heating bills.
"For those families that qualify for energy assistance, there may be some crisis assistance we can use to help prevent disconnection," Blumer said.
She urges families facing disconnection to contact Green County Human Services by calling 328-9344 to schedule an appointment with an energy assistance staff member.