Milwaukee County provides $1M to residents for energy bills payments this March

Milwaukee, WI (February 27, 2018) –  Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele today announced that the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working with partner agencies across the community to disperse an additional $1 million to qualified Milwaukee County residents who apply for Energy Assistance during the month of March.

“Beginning on March 27, We Energies will begin to send disconnection notices for those behind in bill payments,” said County Executive Chris Abele. “For the fourth consecutive year, we are able to provide additional funding to help our residents stay on top of their energy bills and avoid disconnection. Customers who are setting up payment plans with We Energies during March 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 and eligible applicants to the Energy Assistance program. The benefit is available until all funding has been dispersed. It is expected to be available through March 31, 2018. This year, if any funds remain after March 31, applicants will receive additional incentives.

“We hope to see more than 3,500 households apply this March,” said Diane Zettelmeier, Energy Assistance coordinator for Milwaukee County. “We currently have more than 40,000 households utilizing Energy Assistance this season. Our goal is to connect more than 70,000 homeowners and renters to this program, giving them the tools to take control of their bills and avoid disconnection.”

To qualify for this proactive crisis assistance, customers must have made a minimum of two separate monthly payments since October 1, 2017 and must be an eligible resident that has completed an application during March. This financial incentive aims to assist Milwaukee residents in setting up a payment plan and eliminate the threat of disconnection in summer months. This offer is not available to oil, propane or heat-included customers.

Qualified residents can apply early for these funds during the “March Meter Madness” kickoff event. The event will take place on February 28 at the Energy Assistance location at 6918 W Brown Deer Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature V100.7 personality Reggie Brown.

After this promotion ends, qualified residents can still apply for Energy Assistance any time before May 15, 2018. Residents can schedule these appointments by calling 414-270-4-MKE or going online to www.energyassistancemke.org. Appointments can be scheduled for any convenient Energy Assistance location:

• Northwest – 4906 W Fond du Lac Avenue (Fond du lac and Capitol)
• North –  6918 W  Brown Deer Road
• Downtown – 728 N James Lovell Street (7th and Wisconsin)
• West Allis –  6761 W Greenfield Ave
•  Southeast – 2701 S Chase Ave (between Lincoln and Oklahoma)
• South – 5663 S 27th Street

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 or download the flyer. To schedule an interview, contact Katy Glodosky at 920-627-2619. Onsite interviews with current Energy Assistance Specialists and customers and are available.

About the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program
The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services’ Management Services Division, helps more than 58,000 Milwaukee County households each year stay safe, warn and make their energy bills more affordable..  In partnership with UMOS and Community Advocates, and funding largely provided by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Assistance Program’s help amounts to almost $40 million in benefits, including utility bill assistance, emergency furnace repair and replacement, and assistance with payment plans and disconnections.  See more at EnergyAssistanceMKE.org.

About the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
The mission of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services is to empower safe, healthy, meaningful lives.  Our vision is, together, to create healthy communities.  The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services consists of five divisions, encompassing Behavioral Health, Youth and Family Services, Disability Services, Housing, and Management.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.