Help paying utility bills in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's winter rule runs November 1 to April 15

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) sets strong winter protections in Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 113.0304, part of its electric service rules (gas service has its own chapter, PSC 134). From November 1 to April 15, the rule covers disconnection of electric service that provides your main heat, or that your main heating system needs, at any occupied home. During that period, a utility may disconnect only households with gross quarterly income above 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and only where no one's health or safety would be endangered. Even then, a shutoff must be a last resort, and the utility must first get its procedures approved by the PSC each year. The rule also reaches municipal utilities, which must name a general manager or board chair to approve any winter disconnection.

What must happen before a winter shutoff

When a Wisconsin utility does move toward a winter disconnection, the rule spells out each step. A utility representative must meet in person with a responsible adult in the home before the shutoff and again when it happens, to learn about medical problems or disabilities. The utility must explain deferred payment agreements and budget billing, and give you its after-hours emergency number. A designated senior employee must approve the disconnection, and the utility must report it to the PSC the same day. By the end of the next work day, someone must visit to check on the household, and service must be restored at once if there is danger to health or life. No winter shutoff may happen on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

Notice, heat advisories and medical emergencies

All year, a Wisconsin customer has at least 20 days from the bill's issue date to pay, and must get a written disconnection notice at least 10 calendar days before the proposed date. If the shutoff does not happen within 20 days of that notice, another notice must be left at the home 24 to 48 hours before. Utilities may not disconnect in counties where a National Weather Service heat advisory, heat warning or heat emergency is in effect. If a shutoff would make a medical or protective services emergency worse, the utility must postpone it, or reconnect, for up to 21 days when you provide a licensed Wisconsin physician's statement or a notice from a public health, social services or law enforcement official. Renewals are possible.

Deferred payment agreements in Wisconsin

Utilities must offer deferred payment agreements to residential customers. If you cannot pay the whole bill, the agreement keeps service on when you pay a reasonable amount now and the rest in installments. What counts as reasonable depends on the size of the debt, your payment history, how long it has been owed, why it built up, and your household size, income and expenses. A written agreement must tell you in bold print that you can refuse to sign, suggest different terms and ask the PSC to review a disagreement. You will not be charged a late fee on the covered amount while you keep to the schedule. If the utility rejects your offer, it must explain why in writing.

WHEAP and Home Energy Plus

The Wisconsin Department of Administration's Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources runs the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) with federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds. Local agencies deliver it under the Home Energy Plus name, which also covers weatherization. You can apply online through the state's energy benefit website or through your local agency. Wisconsin folds state public benefits money into WHEAP to help with non-heating electric costs. Crisis assistance is for households that lack adequate heat or face a real risk of losing it, and local agencies can also provide blankets, space heaters or temporary lodging. Some households are renewed automatically without a new application.

Taking a dispute to the Wisconsin PSC

If you dispute a disconnection notice, the utility must investigate and try to settle the issue, and it cannot shut off service over that matter while it does. If you still disagree, the utility must tell you about your right to appeal to the PSC. Every disconnection notice must say that you may appeal to PSC staff after you have used the utility's own process. You can also ask PSC staff for an informal review of a medical emergency dispute, and service stays on during that review if you gave the required statement. Before you call, gather the notice, your account number, any payment agreement and notes on each conversation with the utility.

Pairing Settlemont with Wisconsin protections

Wisconsin's winter rule buys time, and Settlemont can help a household use it to work on one bill. The bill owner submits privately with first name, email, state, category, amount and due date. A one-time access code follows, and the biller is identified in a separate private step. Staff verify the biller, the owner and the current balance before approval. Supporters see only a first name, Wisconsin, the category and the verified amount, and they pay a service fee on top of their chosen amount, 7% by card or 5% by bank. Their support goes to the biller, never as cash to the bill owner. Approval does not guarantee payment, so keep your deferred payment agreement in good standing.

Sources

• Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 113.0304: Cold weather disconnections (Cornell LII)
• Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 113.0301: Disconnections, residential (Cornell LII)
• Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 113.0404: Deferred payment agreement (Cornell LII)
• Wisconsin FY2026 LIHEAP State Plan (LIHEAP Clearinghouse)
• LIHEAP Clearinghouse: Cold Weather Disconnect Policies

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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