Act now before utility disconnections begin
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) urges electric and natural gas utility customers, with outstanding bills, to make payment arrangements or apply for financial assistance, before the annual winter moratorium on disconnections for non-payment expires, Tuesday, April 15.
The annual winter moratorium from Nov. 1 to April 15, prohibits utility providers from disconnecting residential heating services, because of non-payment. Customers who are behind on their bills may be at risk of disconnection, if payment arrangements are not established by the cut-off date.
To avoid disconnection, customers who have fallen behind on payments are encouraged first to contact their utility, to set up a payment plan. Listed below, is the contact information for the largest utilities in Wisconsin:
• Alliant Energy, 800-255-4268
• Madison Gas & Electric, 800-245-1125
• Superior Water, Light & Power, 800-227-7957
• We Energies, 800-842-4565
• Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, 800-450-7260
• Xcel Energy, 800-895-4999 If customers are having difficulty paying their energy bills, they may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program, which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherization for low-income households.
To apply online, customers can visit energybenefit. wi.gov or to apply by phone, customers can call the Statewide Customer Care Center, at 800-506-5596.
Utilities are required to offer Deferred Payment Agreements (DPA) to residential customers who cannot pay an outstanding bill in full. Municipal utilities are not required to offer DPAs to tenants, but many still do so.
If customers cannot reach a payment agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC, by calling 800225-7729 or by filing a complaint at psc.wi.gov.
