Wisconsin’s winter electric residential services moratorium, which protects residential customers behind on heating-related bills from disconnections, expired Wednesday, according to Fox 6 News.
From Nov 1 to April 15, utility companies must provide heating services to residential customers regardless of whether they have paid their electricity bill or not, according to Fox 6 News.
While residential heating customers and eligible low-income households are protected from disconnection, commercial or business customers, non-heating services and already disconnected customers are not protected from this moratorium, according to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Residents who may have fallen behind on electricity bills are recommended to start payment plans or apply for financial assistance, according to PSC.
According to PSC, customers should contact their utility providers to make payments or payment plan arrangements. But if an agreement cannot be reached, customers are responsible for contacting the PSC.
If eligible residents need help with utility bills, they are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, according to PSC.
According to PSC, WHEAP offers a one-time payment to cut a portion of utility costs for the heating season, however, the payment amount and eligibility depends on household size, income and energy costs.
This moratorium is to affect residential customers who have not paid their heating-related bills, which could potentially affect University of Wisconsin students living off campus and haven’t paid their bills, according to PSC.
