Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families Emergency Assistance Manual

2.6.5 Energy Crisis

An EAEAEmergency Assistance Group may be eligible due to an energy crisis if all of the following conditions apply: 

1. The EA Group The primary person and any individuals living in his or her household whose income and/or needs are considered when determining eligibility for benefits.has exhausted available resources (see 2.6.5.1); 
2. The EA Group needs financial assistance to obtain or maintain heat, electricity, water, or sewer service provided by a utility company; 
3. The lack of, or imminent lack of, utility service providing heat, electricity, water, or sewer is or is likely to be an immediate threat to the health or safety of any member of the EA Group (see 2.6.5.2); and 
4. The energy crisis must be a result of a financial crisis due to reasons beyond the control of the caretaker relative(s), or that constitute good cause as determined by the W-2 agency (see 2.6.6). 

2.6.5.1 Exhausting Available Resources

An EA Group may be eligible for an energy crisis only if there is an unmet energy crisis after exhausting all available resources for energy assistance. The EA Group has exhausted available resources if: 

1. The EA Group has been denied services from other sources; or 
2. The other funding sources do not cover the full cost of the group’s energy crisis. 

If the EA Group has not already pursued other appropriate payment options, the W-2 agency must assist the EA Group to do so during the 10 working days timeframe.

The EA Group must first pursue alternative services and assistance from: 

1. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), known in Wisconsin as the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP); 
2. The local utility company as required by state regulations (see WI Public Service Commission Utility Customer Bill of Rights webpage); and 
3. Any other available program. 

2.6.5.2 Immediate Threat to Health and Safety

The energy crisis must be or is likely to be an immediate threat to health or safety of any member of the EA Group from the lack of or imminent loss of utility services. The W-2 agency must consider all situations which may be an immediate threat to health or safety, and make a determination based on the circumstances of each specific situation. Examples of when this may occur include, but are not limited to: 

• The home includes an individual who requires utility service to operate essential medical equipment;
• The home includes an individual whose health would be affected by the loss of utility services; or 
• The expected high temperatures for the next 72 hours will be below freezing (32° F).