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Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

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You are here: Home / Home / Carousel / The state’s ban on utility disconnections ends April 15. Here’s what you need to know.

The state’s ban on utility disconnections ends April 15. Here’s what you need to know.

April 13, 2022 by Matt Martinez Leave a Comment

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Protesters in 2020 called for more help for people who were behind on their utility bills. (Photo provided by North Side Rising)

Leer en español: una versión traducida de este artículo está disponible debajo de la versión en inglés.

Wisconsin utility companies will once again be able to disconnect services starting April 15.

Tom Content, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, an organization that advocates for energy consumers, urges customers to reach out to their providers and make payment plans. In Milwaukee, most residents receive power from We Energies.

Brendan Conway, manager of media relations for We Energies, said disconnections will not occur immediately on April 15. The energy company will send letters to those who are at risk of disconnection and attempt to contact them by phone, he said.

“Disconnection always has been and will be a last resort,” Conway said.

The state bars utilities from disconnecting services during the winter months, specifically from Nov. 1 through April 15. Cutoffs were banned indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the state’s regulator for utilities, but were reinstated in 2021.

Conway said customers who get on a payment plan can reduce their risk of disconnection. The sooner customers reach out, the better their chances for avoiding a service cutoff, he said.

Conway said about 8,000 people currently are at risk for disconnection. At this time last year, the number was about 12,000.

To contact We Energies and set up a payment plan, visit the We Energies website, use the mobile app or call 800-842-4565.

Energy assistance options

The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services provides energy assistance through UMOS and Community Advocates, two nonprofit agencies in the city that provide services to residents. You can schedule an appointment, apply online or call (414) 270-4653. You can also call 2-1-1 for assistance scheduling an appointment.

When preparing to apply, have the following materials ready:

  • The name, date of birth and Social Security Number of everyone in your home
  • Income information, including income received through unemployment benefits, Social Security or any other forms of income
  • Information about your utilities, including the account number for the utility from which you receive heat and gas
  • Information about your landlord or management company if applicable, including name, address and phone number.

There are a number of services available within the program that provide assistance where government funds might not due to income requirements. This includes the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund and the Heat for Heroes Campaign, which serves veterans and their families who need energy assistance. To contact these services, call 800-891-9276.

If you have a dispute with your energy bill that you need assistance with, you can file a complaint with the Public Service Commission on its website. The commission can also be reached at 608-266-2001 or 800-225-7729.



La prohibición estatal de desconexiones de servicios públicos finaliza el 15 de abril. Esto es lo que necesita saber.

Las empresas de servicios públicos de Wisconsin podrán volver a desconectar los servicios a partir del 15 de abril.

Tom Content, directora ejecutivo de Citizens Utility Board, una organización que aboga por los consumidores de energía, insta a los clientes a comunicarse con sus proveedores y hacer planes de pago. En Milwaukee, la mayoría de los residentes reciben energía de We Energies.

Brendan Conway, gerente de relaciones con los medios de We Energies, dijo que las desconexiones no ocurrirán inmediatamente el 15 de abril. La compañía de energía enviará cartas a quienes estén en riesgo de desconexión e intentará contactarlos por teléfono, dijo.

“La desconexión siempre ha sido y será el último recurso”, dijo Conway.

El estado prohíbe que los servicios públicos desconecten los servicios durante los meses de invierno, específicamente desde el 1 de noviembre hasta el 15 de abril. Los cortes fueron prohibidos indefinidamente durante la pandemia de COVID-19 por la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Wisconsin, el regulador estatal de servicios públicos, pero se restablecieron en 2021 .

Conway dijo que los clientes que obtienen un plan de pago pueden reducir el riesgo de desconexión. Cuanto antes se comuniquen los clientes, mejores serán sus posibilidades de evitar un corte del servicio, dijo.

Conway dijo que unas 8.000 personas actualmente están en riesgo de desconexión. En este momento el año pasado, el número era de unos 12.000.

Para comunicarse con We Energies y configurar un plan de pago, visite el sitio web de We Energies, use la aplicación móvil o llame al 800-842-4565.

Opciones de asistencia energética

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Milwaukee brinda asistencia energética a través de UMOS y Community Advocates, dos agencias sin fines de lucro en la ciudad que brindan servicios a los residentes. Puede programar una cita , solicitar en línea o llamar al (414) 270-4653. También puede llamar al 2-1-1 para obtener ayuda para programar una cita.

Cuando se prepare para aplicar, tenga los siguientes materiales listos:

  • El nombre, fecha de nacimiento y Número de Seguro Social de todas las personas en su hogar.
  • Información de ingresos, incluidos los ingresos recibidos a través de beneficios de desempleo, Seguro Social o cualquier otra forma de ingresos.
  • Información sobre sus servicios públicos, incluido el número de cuenta del servicio público del que recibe calefacción y gas.
  • Información sobre su arrendador o empresa administradora, si corresponde, incluido el nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono.

Hay una serie de servicios disponibles dentro del programa que brindan asistencia donde los fondos del gobierno podrían no hacerlo debido a los requisitos de ingresos. Esto incluye el Fondo Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool y la Campaña Heat for Heroes, que sirve a los veteranos y sus familias que necesitan asistencia energética. Para comunicarse con estos servicios, llame al 800-891-9276.

Si tiene una disputa con su factura de energía y necesita ayuda, puede presentar una queja ante la Comisión de Servicios Públicos en su sitio web. También se puede comunicar con la comisión al 608-266-2001 o al 800-225-7729.

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Filed Under: Carousel, Home, Neighborhoods, News Tagged With: Noticias414

About Matt Martinez

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Matthew, a 2020 Marquette University graduate, joins Milwaukee NNS as part of Report For America, a program that seeks to strengthen local journalism by placing journalists in communities that have a greater need for issues based reporting. Prior to joining NNS, Matt developed his reporting skills at the Marquette Wire, on the investigative desk, covering issues such as housing, human trafficking and health care in the Milwaukee.

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