Oct. 1, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- MILWAUKEE, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisconsin residents may begin applying for Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) funds beginning Oct. 1, 2009. A greater number of households are eligible for energy assistance under new income guidelines for WHEAP that were passed by the state legislature this spring.

Families with incomes at or below 60 percent of the state medium income, or making approximately $45,000 for a family of four, may qualify for energy assistance dollars to help pay their energy bills. Customers who have not qualified for energy assistance in the past may qualify now.

WHEAP offers an array of services in addition to regular heating and electric assistance. By applying and qualifying for energy assistance, residents are automatically registered for the state's Weatherization program, for example.

Wisconsin residents are encouraged to call 866-432-8947 to locate the nearest energy assistance county agency. Although energy assistance applications are being accepted through May 15, 2010, customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

"We want all of our customers to be aware of programs that are available to assist them," said Michael Mueller, We Energies manager of Low Income Programs. "In these difficult economic times, it's worth customers' time to review their eligibility based on the new income guidelines."

Qualification for energy assistance is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills or rents versus owning a home. The benefit amount is determined by factors such as household income, annual energy usage, household size and type of housing unit.

Applicants must bring the following items to the energy assistance agencies to determine eligibility:

--  Proof of income for all household members 18 years or older for the
previous three months
--  Social Security cards for everyone in the household
--  Current energy bill

--  If the applicant is a renter, a rent certificate or statement from the
landlord confirming whether or not heat is included in rent payments

We Energies serves more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and more than 1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. Our electricity prices are well below the national average. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC, the principal utility subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC). Visit the We Energies Web site at www.we-energies.com. Learn more about Wisconsin Energy Corporation by visiting www.wisconsinenergy.com.

SOURCE We Energies