PSC Urges Utility Customers to Seek Assistance Before Disconnection Moratorium Ends

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Published March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is urging utility customers with outstanding bills to make payment arrangements or apply for assistance before the winter moratorium on disconnections ends on April 15, 2026. Customers are encouraged to contact their utility or the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) for support.

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What changed

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has issued a notice reminding electric and natural gas utility customers that the annual winter moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment will end on April 15, 2026. This moratorium, which runs from November 1st to April 15th, prohibits utility providers from disconnecting residential heating services due to nonpayment. Customers who are behind on their bills are at risk of disconnection if they do not establish payment arrangements or seek financial assistance before this date.

Regulated entities, specifically utility providers, are reminded of their obligation to offer deferred payment agreements (DPAs) to residential customers unable to pay outstanding bills in full. Customers facing difficulties are advised to first contact their utility to set up a payment plan. If unable to reach an agreement, customers can contact the PSC or apply for assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) by visiting energybenefit.wi.gov or calling 1-866-HEATWIS. The PSC also provides a contact number for customers to file complaints if they cannot resolve issues with their utility.

What to do next

Contact utility to establish payment plan before April 15, 2026
Apply for Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) if eligible
Contact PSC if unable to reach payment agreement with utility

Source document (simplified)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2026 Contact: Meghan Sovey-Lashua, 608-266-9600 meghan.sovey1@wisconsin.gov

PSC Urges Customers to Seek Assistance before Moratorium on Utility Disconnections Ends

MADISON - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) urges electric and natural gas utility customers with outstanding bills to make payment arrangements or apply for financial assistance before the annual winter moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment expires on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The annual winter moratorium from November 1st to April 15th prohibits utility providers from disconnecting residential heating services due to nonpayment. Customers who are behind on their bills may be at risk of disconnection if payment arrangements are not established by April 15, 2026. To avoid disconnection, customers who have fallen behind on payments are encouraged first to contact their utility to set up a payment plan. Listed below is the contact information for the largest utilities in Wisconsin:

If customers are having difficulty paying their energy bills, they may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Administration's Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program, which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherization for low-income households. To apply online, customers can go to energybenefit.wi.gov or to apply by phone, customers can call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947). Utilities are required to offer deferred payment agreements (DPA) to residential customers who cannot pay an outstanding bill in full. Municipal utilities are not required to offer DPAs to tenants, but many still do so. If customers cannot reach a payment agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC by calling 1-800-225-7729, or by filing a complaint on the PSC website.

Alliant Energy 1-800-255-4268 Madison Gas & Electric 1-800-245-1125 Superior Water, Light & Power 1-800-227-7957 We Energies 1-800-842-4565 Wisconsin Public Service Corporation 1-800-450-7260 Xcel Energy 1-800-895-4999

For more information about utility disconnections and collections, see the Utility Customer Bill of Rights. ###