Milwaukee County DHHS to disperse $1.3 million to help residents avoid utility disconnection
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working with partner agencies across the community to disperse an additional $1.3 million to Milwaukee County residents who qualify for Energy Assistance prior to the moratorium ending on April 15.
“Starting March 28, We Energies will begin to send disconnection notices for those behind in bill payments,” said DHHS Director Héctor Colón. “This year, we want residents to know they can take control of their utility bill. Customers who are setting up payment plans with We Energies now through April 15 can benefit from proactive crisis assistance, a $300 incentive towards establishing a payment plan.”
This benefit is the only initiative that can replace a customer’s down payment. It will serve those who are setting up payment plans with We Energies, current We Energies customers and eligible applicants to the Energy Assistance program.
To qualify for proactive crisis assistance, customers must have made a minimum of two separate monthly payments since September 1, 2015 and must have a current 2016 energy application. This financial incentive aims to assist Milwaukee residents in setting up a payment plan and eliminate the threat of disconnection. This offer will not be available to oil, propane or heat-included customers.
This year, qualified residents do not need to wait in line to apply. They can schedule an appointment to apply at a time convenient for them any time before May 15, 2016. This year, DHHS wants residents to know:
- Schedule an appointments that fit your schedule
- Residents don’t have to wait in line upon receiving a disconnection notice to apply.
- Residents can schedule these appointments by calling 414-270-4-MKE, or going online to www.energyassistancemke.org.
- Application sites have changed, Locations are as follows:
Extended hours are now available. All sites are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.- Community Advocates – 4906 W Fond du Lac Avenue, Milwaukee
- UMOS – 2701 S. Chase Avenue, Milwaukee
- Community Advocates – 728 N James Lovell Street, Milwaukee
- West Allis – 6761 W Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee
“We have currently served more than 43,000 households this year with the Energy Assistance program,” Colón says. “But we can still do better. While the state is down over five percent in applications, Milwaukee County is up nearly ten percent through the initiatives we’ve put in place to make this service available to our residents. Our goal is to serve 75,000 households this year – to help them stay warm, keep their lights on and avoid an energy crisis. We are on track to meet, and even exceed this goal.”
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as WHEAP is a state program that is administered in Milwaukee County by DHHS. It provides a one-time payment for eligible residents, covering a portion of their energy costs.
For more information about the program and eligibility, visit www.energyassistancemke.org. To schedule an interview, contact Katy Glodosky at 920-627-2619. Onsite interviews are available.
About the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
The mission of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services is to enhance the quality of life for individuals who need support living healthy, independent, and safe lives within our community. Our vision is to be recognized as the public model of excellence, leadership, and partnership in human services driving superior outcomes for our community.