Governor Doyle Announces $97 Million for Low-Income Heating Assistance
[We have received the following press release and are pleased to publish it on behalf of Gov. Doyle's office.]
MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle today announced the release to Wisconsin of over $97 million in federal funds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding released today is three quarters of the estimated $130 million in LIHEAP funding Wisconsin is expected to receive this year.
“No family should have to choose between buying groceries and paying their heating bill,” said Governor Doyle. “With the release of this funding Wisconsin can now begin to allocate assistance to hard working low-income families across this state.”
The funds released today will be used for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter. 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 assistance weatherizing low-income households.
Due to recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Effective with the beginning of the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. Current projections are for a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of households receiving energy assistance. The state anticipates nearly 256,000 Wisconsin families will receive energy assistance to pay a portion of their fuel costs this heating season.
Payments under these programs depend upon household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance.
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2009-2010 WHEAP HEATING SEASON
60 Percent of State Median Income Guidelines
Size of family: 1
One Month's Income: $ 1,953
Three Month's Income: $ 5,859
Annual Income: $ 23,435
Size of family: 2
One Month's Income: $ 2,554
Three Month's Income: $ 7,661
Annual Income $ 30,645
Size of Family: 3
One Month's Income: $ 3,155
Three Month's Income: $ 9,464
Annual Income: $ 37,856
Size of Family: 4
One Month's Income: $ 3,756
Three Month's Income: $ 11,267
Annual Income: $ 45,067
Size of Family: 5
One Month's Income: $ 4,356
Three Month's Income: $ 13,069
Annual Income: $ 52,277
Size of Family: 6
One Month's Income: $ 4,957
Three Month's Income: $ 14,872
Annual Income: $ 59,488
Size of Family: 7
One Month's Income: $ 5,070
Three Month's Income: $ 15,210
Annual Income: $ 60,840
Size of Family: 8
One Month's Income: $ 5,183
Three Month's Income: $ 15,548
Annual Income: $ 62,192
MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle today announced the release to Wisconsin of over $97 million in federal funds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding released today is three quarters of the estimated $130 million in LIHEAP funding Wisconsin is expected to receive this year.
“No family should have to choose between buying groceries and paying their heating bill,” said Governor Doyle. “With the release of this funding Wisconsin can now begin to allocate assistance to hard working low-income families across this state.”
The funds released today will be used for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter. 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 assistance weatherizing low-income households.
Due to recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Effective with the beginning of the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. Current projections are for a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of households receiving energy assistance. The state anticipates nearly 256,000 Wisconsin families will receive energy assistance to pay a portion of their fuel costs this heating season.
Payments under these programs depend upon household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance.
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2009-2010 WHEAP HEATING SEASON
60 Percent of State Median Income Guidelines
Size of family: 1
One Month's Income: $ 1,953
Three Month's Income: $ 5,859
Annual Income: $ 23,435
Size of family: 2
One Month's Income: $ 2,554
Three Month's Income: $ 7,661
Annual Income $ 30,645
Size of Family: 3
One Month's Income: $ 3,155
Three Month's Income: $ 9,464
Annual Income: $ 37,856
Size of Family: 4
One Month's Income: $ 3,756
Three Month's Income: $ 11,267
Annual Income: $ 45,067
Size of Family: 5
One Month's Income: $ 4,356
Three Month's Income: $ 13,069
Annual Income: $ 52,277
Size of Family: 6
One Month's Income: $ 4,957
Three Month's Income: $ 14,872
Annual Income: $ 59,488
Size of Family: 7
One Month's Income: $ 5,070
Three Month's Income: $ 15,210
Annual Income: $ 60,840
Size of Family: 8
One Month's Income: $ 5,183
Three Month's Income: $ 15,548
Annual Income: $ 62,192
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 8:45 PM
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