From November 1 through April 15 each year, Wisconsin's winter rule protects home heating service from disconnection for nonpayment.
The Winter Rule: November 1 to April 15
From November 1 through April 15, a utility can't disconnect the service that heats your home, or that runs your heating system, for nonpayment. That covers electricity a gas furnace needs, and water for steam or hot-water radiators.(PSC) The PSC calls it the winter heating disconnection moratorium.(PSC) The rule is PSC 113.0304 for electric service(Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113) and PSC 134.0624 for natural gas, with the same dates.(Wis. Admin. Code PSC 134)
Three things people miss:
- It isn't an absolute ban. The code lets a utility disconnect a household earning more than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and only where no one's health or safety would be at risk, under procedures the PSC approves each year.(PSC 113) Even then it's a last resort: a utility representative must meet in person with an adult in the home, there are no winter disconnections on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday, and the utility has to visit by the end of the next work day to check on the household.(PSC 113) Alliant says it generally doesn't disconnect Wisconsin homes from November 1 to April 15.(Alliant Energy)
- The bill is still owed. MGE notes the moratorium ends April 15 and that it may take court action on unpaid winter charges.(MGE) After April 15, customers who are behind can be disconnected unless they've set up a payment arrangement.(PSC)
- Can pay but don't: three times the bill. State law lets a court award a gas or electric utility three times the unpaid winter charges if the customer could pay, the household earns more than 250% of the poverty guidelines, and payment is 80 or more days late.(Wis. Stat. 196.642) The utility can also ask that customer for a deposit of up to four months' bills instead of the usual two.(PSC)
The rule doesn't cover shutoffs for a dangerous condition, unsafe meter tampering, or repairs.(PSC 113) Wisconsin has no separate cold-temperature forecast rule; the November-to-April rule is the winter protection. In summer, electric and water utilities can't disconnect in a county under a National Weather Service heat advisory, warning or emergency.(PSC 113)
Notice Before Any Shutoff
- You have at least 20 days from the bill date to pay before the account is past due.(PSC 113)
- Electric: written notice at least 10 calendar days before a disconnection, and another notice at the home 24 to 48 hours ahead if the utility hasn't acted within 20 days of the first.(PSC 113) Gas: written notice at least 8 calendar days ahead.(PSC 134.062)
- The notice has to explain why, how to get a payment agreement, how to report a medical emergency, and that you can appeal to the PSC. The utility must also try to reach you by phone or in person.(PSC 113)
- All year, no residential disconnection on a day the utility's offices are closed, or the day before, unless it staffs a 24-hour line and crews who can restore service.(PSC 113)
- A utility can't disconnect you for a previous occupant's debt, for non-utility merchandise, or for an estimated bill outside an approved reading plan. If you dispute the notice, it can't disconnect over that issue while it investigates.(PSC 113)
Medical Emergencies
If a shutoff would make an existing medical or protective services emergency worse, the utility must hold off, or reconnect, for up to 21 days once you give it a statement from a Wisconsin physician or a public health, social services or law enforcement official.(PSC 113) The 21 days can be renewed with a new statement while you work on payment arrangements, and you still owe for the service used.(PSC 113) The same rule covers gas(PSC 134.062) and water.(PSC 185)
Deferred Payment Agreements
Utilities must offer residential customers a deferred payment agreement: a reasonable down payment, then installments. As long as you keep to it, service stays on.(PSC 113) What's reasonable depends on your ability to pay: the size of the debt, why it built up, and your household's size, income and expenses.(PSC 113) A written agreement has to tell you that you can refuse to sign, propose other terms, and ask the PSC to review it, and no late fees apply to the amount in the agreement while you keep up with it.(PSC 113) Default without a real change in your circumstances, and the utility doesn't have to offer a second one.(PSC 113) Gas utilities follow the same rules.(PSC 134.063) City-owned utilities don't have to offer an agreement to tenants, though many do.(PSC)
- MGE calls it a payment arrangement: 608-252-7000, weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.(MGE) Its Budget Payment Plan spreads costs over 12 months but isn't open to accounts that are behind, so set up the arrangement first.(MGE)
- Alliant's Arrears Management Program forgives 25% of a past-due balance up front, then 1/12 for each on-time monthly payment; customers who get WHEAP are enrolled.(Alliant Energy)
Already Shut Off Going Into Winter
The moratorium doesn't turn service back on by itself. Customers who are already disconnected still need to make arrangements.(PSC) Each fall, electric utilities must try to reach every home disconnected in the past 12 months that is still off, by October 15, with a personal visit by October 25 if there's no response, and must restore service at once if they see a danger to health or life.(PSC 113) Gas utilities have the same rule.(PSC 134.0623) A deposit can't be required for new service if your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.(PSC)
Renters and Landlord-Paid Utilities
If the bill goes to a landlord or another address, or is in the name of "occupant", the utility must post a notice on each unit at least 5 days before disconnecting, telling tenants they may be able to take over the account.(PSC 113) For a building on one meter in the owner's name, the utility must first try to move the debt to the owner's own account, and it can't knowingly help a landlord evict a tenant.(PSC 113) Wisconsin's rules for renters generally are in renting in Wisconsin.
Water Service
Water can't be shut off from November 1 to April 15 if it's part of the home's heating system, such as a boiler. Water utilities also give at least 10 days' written notice and follow the same 21-day medical rule.(PSC 185) Unpaid water and sewer charges can instead be added to the property tax bill.(PSC) In Madison, MadCAP takes up to $30 a month off the Municipal Services Bill for households at or below 50% of area median income; you apply each year.(City of Madison) The rest of that bill is explained in the Madison Municipal Services Bill.
Help Paying the Bill
- WHEAP (Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program) opened for 2026-27 on October 1, 2026, for households with gross income at or below 60% of state median income.(State of Wisconsin) It's a one-time payment per heating season that covers part of the cost, paid to the utility or fuel supplier.(State of Wisconsin) The state expects an average heating benefit of $441 this season.(State of Wisconsin) Apply at energybenefit.wi.gov or call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947).(State of Wisconsin)
- In Dane County, energy assistance runs through Energy Services, Inc. (ESI): apply at esi.help or call 1-800-506-5596, and reapply each program year.(MGE) ESI's Dane County office is at 1225 South Park Street, Madison.(Alliant Energy)
- Crisis help covers no heat, nearly out of fuel, or an electric shutoff that's coming. Agencies keep a 24-hour crisis line.(State of Wisconsin) If the furnace itself has failed, see furnace and AC repair; WHEAP agencies can also arrange emergency furnace repair for eligible homeowners.
- Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund: 1-800-891-WARM (9276). You can apply to it and WHEAP both.(Alliant Energy) Alliant's Hometown Care Energy Fund gives eligible customers up to $500, handled through ESI.(Alliant Energy)
- Lowering the bill for good: income-qualified energy rebates pay for insulation and heating upgrades, and utility costs by town shows what each utility charges.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 income limit | $39,864 | $52,129 | $64,395 | $76,661 | $88,927 | $101,193 | $103,492 | $105,792 |
Limits from the state's October 1, 2026 announcement.(State of Wisconsin)
Filing a Complaint
Start with the utility. If that doesn't settle it, PSC Consumer Affairs handles disputes about electric, gas and water service: 608-266-2001 or 800-225-7729, weekdays 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or file online. By mail: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854.(PSC) Local law enforcement and social services can use the PSC dispute process for a household without service.(PSC 113)
Questions
When does the winter moratorium start in Wisconsin?
November 1. From November 1 through April 15, a utility generally can't disconnect the service that heats your home for nonpayment. That includes electricity a gas furnace needs to run.
Do I still have to pay my bill during the moratorium?
Yes. The charges keep adding up, and after April 15 you can be disconnected if you're behind and haven't set up a payment arrangement. If you could pay and don't, a court can award the utility three times the unpaid winter charges.
How do I apply for energy assistance in Dane County?
Apply for WHEAP online at energybenefit.wi.gov or call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947). In Dane County the program runs through Energy Services, Inc. (1-800-506-5596). For 2026-27, a household of four qualifies with income up to $76,661 a year.
Can my landlord's unpaid bill get my heat shut off?
If the account is in the landlord's name or billed to another address, the utility must post a notice on each unit at least 5 days before disconnecting, and tenants may be able to take over the account to keep service on.
The administrative code text was read from Internet Archive copies of docs.legis.wisconsin.gov (PSC 113 current to the November 2025 Register), because the state site didn't respond on the day we checked.