The pandemic has financially impacted thousands of Wisconsin families.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities.
The program is open to homeowners in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.
The $92 million federally funded program will provide a maximum of $40,000 in assistance for eligible households.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities.
The program is open to homeowners in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.
The $92 million federally funded program will provide a maximum of $40,000 in assistance for eligible households.
General FAQ
1. Who can apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for assistance:
1. You are a Wisconsin homeowner living in a primary residence, such as a:
• Single Family home
• Duplex or Condo
• Manufactured Home
2. Can demonstrate financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
3. Meet income requirement of 100% area median income or less. Click here to check your income.
2. What qualifies as a financial hardship?
If you have experienced one or more of the following since January 21, 2020:
• Job loss, loss of wages, or fewer paid hours at work.
• If you are self-employed, and your business is no longer supplying you with income or your income has been reduced.
• Independent contractors or gig workers who have not been able to earn fees, or whose fees have been reduced.
• Have become sick or have been advised by a governmental or medical professional to self-quarantine.
• Have had to leave a job or reduce work hours in order to care for a person who is sick.
• Have had to leave a job or reduce work hours to care for dependents whose ordinary situations (such as school or daycare) have been disrupted.
• Increased household costs, including the cost of fuel and utilities.
• Had an unexpected COVID-related medical or funeral expense.
• Had unexpected child-care or elderly care expenses.
3. Do I have to have a COVID-19 diagnosis to be eligible?
You do not have to have been sick with COVID-19 in order to be eligible.
4. What can this program help with?
The following housing obligations, due after January 20, 2021, are eligible use of funds:
• Existing first mortgage loan payment (principal and interest), escrow shortages.
• Mortgage refinance (closing cost, points)
• Subordinate lien payment (principal and interest)
• Land Contract monthly payment (principal and interest)
• Utilities, including electric, gas, home energy and water, if arrearages not otherwise covered from another source of funds.
• Internet service, including broadband internet access, if arrearages not otherwise covered from another source of funds.
• Condominium association fees, including for lien extinguishment.
• Homeowner’s hazard, flood and/or mortgage insurance.
• Delinquent property taxes.
5. I have outstanding property taxes, can this program help?
For property taxes on primary residences (as listed in the eligible homes section) in Wisconsin, this program can assist with outstanding
property taxes from 2019 and forward. For property taxes before that date, please contact our staff.
6. Can you help with utilities?
Yes. For eligible households, this program offers assistance on utilities, including electric, gas, home energy and water, if arrearages not
otherwise covered from another source of funds.
7. I’m past due on insurance, what can I do?
Yes. For eligible households, this program offers assistance on outstanding home insurance, including flood and hazard insurance.
8. Is my mobile home eligible for assistance?
Yes, manufactured homes that are permanently affixed and taxed as real property are eligible for assistance with this program.
9. What about HOA and Condominium fees?
Yes. For eligible households, assistance is available to help with association fees, including for lien extinguishment.
10. How do I apply?
Use the link provided to start an application from your phone, tablet or computer, or call 1-844-260-7709 if you are unable to submit and
application electronically. The fastest way to apply will be submitting the application online. Someone from the Couleecap team will contact
you to confirm all materials have been received and talk through what is available to you.
11. What if I live in another county?
If you live in Wisconsin and meet all the other eligibility requirements, you can start an application through the portal and someone from
the correct county will reach out to you. You can visit HomeownerHelp.WI.Gov or by calling 1-855-2-HOME-WI.
12. How much assistance is available?
A maximum award of $40,000 per eligible household may be available.
Assistance below $10,000 will be provided as a grant. Assistance exceeding $10,000 will be structured as a 1-year, non-interest bearing,
non-amortizing forgivable loan. The loan is due in full upon sale, refinance, or transfer of ownership. If no resale, transfer, or refinance
occurs within 1 year and the homeowner remains in the home, the loan will be fully forgiven.
13. English is not my first language. Can I get help with my application?
Yes. The application portal has options for Spanish, Hmong, and Somali in addition to English. Get additional help if needed by calling
1-855-246-6394.
14. I previously got help with utilities or other support with my house payments. Will I still be eligible?
Yes. Receiving help before will not disqualify potential applicants from the WHH program.
15. Who gets the payment?
Eligible funding from the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program will go directly to financial institutions, local treasurers, utility
companies, or other entities to pay for overdue bills.
When payments are made on your behalf, you will be able to log into your account associated with your application and view any payments
made.
16. How do I know if I meet income requirements?
Check your income here
Income limits may be different based on the county in which you live.
17. Are homeowners with no income eligible?
Yes.
18. I am a landlord or have another home and need financial assistance. Can I qualify?
No, only owner-occupied homes are eligible for the Help for Homeowners program. Rentals, vacation or second homes are not eligible.
19. Will these funds be considered taxable income?
No.
20. How is this program funded?
This program is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
21. Who can I call if I need more information or have questions about the application process?
Our call center is available at 1-855-2-HOME-WI. Hours of operation: 8:30 – 5pm, Monday – Friday.
For questions about your application, please reach out to the local community action program agency serving your region.
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for assistance:
1. You are a Wisconsin homeowner living in a primary residence, such as a:
• Single Family home
• Duplex or Condo
• Manufactured Home
2. Can demonstrate financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
3. Meet income requirement of 100% area median income or less. Click here to check your income.
2. What qualifies as a financial hardship?
If you have experienced one or more of the following since January 21, 2020:
• Job loss, loss of wages, or fewer paid hours at work.
• If you are self-employed, and your business is no longer supplying you with income or your income has been reduced.
• Independent contractors or gig workers who have not been able to earn fees, or whose fees have been reduced.
• Have become sick or have been advised by a governmental or medical professional to self-quarantine.
• Have had to leave a job or reduce work hours in order to care for a person who is sick.
• Have had to leave a job or reduce work hours to care for dependents whose ordinary situations (such as school or daycare) have been disrupted.
• Increased household costs, including the cost of fuel and utilities.
• Had an unexpected COVID-related medical or funeral expense.
• Had unexpected child-care or elderly care expenses.
3. Do I have to have a COVID-19 diagnosis to be eligible?
You do not have to have been sick with COVID-19 in order to be eligible.
4. What can this program help with?
The following housing obligations, due after January 20, 2021, are eligible use of funds:
• Existing first mortgage loan payment (principal and interest), escrow shortages.
• Mortgage refinance (closing cost, points)
• Subordinate lien payment (principal and interest)
• Land Contract monthly payment (principal and interest)
• Utilities, including electric, gas, home energy and water, if arrearages not otherwise covered from another source of funds.
• Internet service, including broadband internet access, if arrearages not otherwise covered from another source of funds.
• Condominium association fees, including for lien extinguishment.
• Homeowner’s hazard, flood and/or mortgage insurance.
• Delinquent property taxes.
5. I have outstanding property taxes, can this program help?
For property taxes on primary residences (as listed in the eligible homes section) in Wisconsin, this program can assist with outstanding
property taxes from 2019 and forward. For property taxes before that date, please contact our staff.
6. Can you help with utilities?
Yes. For eligible households, this program offers assistance on utilities, including electric, gas, home energy and water, if arrearages not
otherwise covered from another source of funds.
7. I’m past due on insurance, what can I do?
Yes. For eligible households, this program offers assistance on outstanding home insurance, including flood and hazard insurance.
8. Is my mobile home eligible for assistance?
Yes, manufactured homes that are permanently affixed and taxed as real property are eligible for assistance with this program.
9. What about HOA and Condominium fees?
Yes. For eligible households, assistance is available to help with association fees, including for lien extinguishment.
10. How do I apply?
Use the link provided to start an application from your phone, tablet or computer, or call 1-844-260-7709 if you are unable to submit and
application electronically. The fastest way to apply will be submitting the application online. Someone from the Couleecap team will contact
you to confirm all materials have been received and talk through what is available to you.
11. What if I live in another county?
If you live in Wisconsin and meet all the other eligibility requirements, you can start an application through the portal and someone from
the correct county will reach out to you. You can visit HomeownerHelp.WI.Gov or by calling 1-855-2-HOME-WI.
12. How much assistance is available?
A maximum award of $40,000 per eligible household may be available.
Assistance below $10,000 will be provided as a grant. Assistance exceeding $10,000 will be structured as a 1-year, non-interest bearing,
non-amortizing forgivable loan. The loan is due in full upon sale, refinance, or transfer of ownership. If no resale, transfer, or refinance
occurs within 1 year and the homeowner remains in the home, the loan will be fully forgiven.
13. English is not my first language. Can I get help with my application?
Yes. The application portal has options for Spanish, Hmong, and Somali in addition to English. Get additional help if needed by calling
1-855-246-6394.
14. I previously got help with utilities or other support with my house payments. Will I still be eligible?
Yes. Receiving help before will not disqualify potential applicants from the WHH program.
15. Who gets the payment?
Eligible funding from the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program will go directly to financial institutions, local treasurers, utility
companies, or other entities to pay for overdue bills.
When payments are made on your behalf, you will be able to log into your account associated with your application and view any payments
made.
16. How do I know if I meet income requirements?
Check your income here
Income limits may be different based on the county in which you live.
17. Are homeowners with no income eligible?
Yes.
18. I am a landlord or have another home and need financial assistance. Can I qualify?
No, only owner-occupied homes are eligible for the Help for Homeowners program. Rentals, vacation or second homes are not eligible.
19. Will these funds be considered taxable income?
No.
20. How is this program funded?
This program is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
21. Who can I call if I need more information or have questions about the application process?
Our call center is available at 1-855-2-HOME-WI. Hours of operation: 8:30 – 5pm, Monday – Friday.
For questions about your application, please reach out to the local community action program agency serving your region.
Program Funder and Partners
State of Wisconsin Department of Administration
Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources |