4-16-14 heating moratorium ends

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state's moratorium on disconnecting utility customers who are behind on their bills is ending.  The law prohibits utilities from shutting off a customer's heat between Nov. 1 and April 15.  We Energies spokeswoman Cathy Schultz says the harsh winter hasn't resulted in more people facing disconnection, but amount of overdue bills is larger this year by 10 to 15 percent on average. Schultz says customers are at risk of being disconnected unless they make arrangements to pay their bill.  Help is available for people whose household is at or below 60 percent of the state median income level.  That's about $47,000 for a family of four.  People can apply for assistance through county social service offices, tribal governments and private nonprofit agencies.