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MadCAP

MadCAP - Madison Customer Assistance Program

MadCAP Overview

MadCAP assists income-eligible households by providing up to a $30 monthly credit (discount) on their Municipal Services Bill.

Being able to afford housing is an important issue in Madison. Paying for housing also means paying for utilities. MadCAP can help reduce utility costs for low-income residents. MadCAP helps keep Madison more affordable and provides important relief to low-income residents, by using an approach many energy companies have done for years.

For example, the average household utility bill is currently $96.50 per month. MadCAP provides eligible households with a monthly credit of up to $30 on their Municipal Services Bill. The MadCAP program credit spreads across all municipal services, including water, sewer, stormwater, urban forestry, resource recovery, and landfill. The credit is automatically applied monthly to customer bills and does not need to be repaid.


How do I sign up?

Fill out and submit the MadCAP application form by email to: madcap@cityofmadison.com. You can also drop off the completed application or mail it to: 119 E Olin Ave, Madison, WI 53713.

Application:

MadCAP Application - English
MadCAP Application - Spanish 
MadCAP Application - Chinese
MadCAP Application - Hmong

Informational Handout:

MadCAP Informational Handout - English
MadCAP Informational Handout - Spanish
MadCAP Informational Handout - Chinese
MadCAP Informational Handout - Hmong

If you need any form in another language or format, contact: (608) 266-4651. For help completing the form call: (608) 266-4651

What financial assistance is offered?

Monthly bill credits on the Madison Municipal Services bill are offered to income-eligible customers based on how much money their household has earned in the past year. Credits range from $20-$30; exact monthly credit amount is based on a variety of factors - official credit amount will be presented in the program approval letter. 

Who is eligible?

Households at or below 50% of area median income (AMI) that meet eligibility criteria (see below). This means that households whose total earnings are the same or less than the AMI (annual income) listed on the chart below are eligible for the credit. Residents that qualify for Section 8, Wisconsin FoodShare or SNAP benefits, or the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program would meet MadCAP's income requirements. 

The eligible annual income is based on the number of persons in the household (income eligibility table below). 

Number of Persons in HouseholdGross Annual Household Income
1$45,450
2$51,950
3$58,450
4$64,900
5$70,100
6$75,300
7$80,500
8 or more$85,700

Note: 2025 income guidelines (shown in the table above) went into effective on April 1, 2025
View the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) statement on income guidelines and the official income guidelines.  
 

What steps are included in the MadCAP application process?

 

  1. Read the informational handout about MadCAP
  2. Gather your income verification document (2023 tax return or Social Security benefits statement)
  3. Complete the MadCAP application
  4. Decide which water conservation program to participate in: Home Water Conservation Program or Toilet Rebate Program
  5. Complete either the Home Water Conservation Program application or the Toilet Rebate Application (see below for descriptions of each program)
  6. Gather together your completed MadCAP application, a conservation program application, and income verification document
  7. Submit your entire application package to madcap@cityofmadison.com or 119 E Olin Avenue, Madison, WI 53713. (Entire application package must include: MadCAP application, a conservation program application, and an income verification document)
  8. Once your application is received by Municipal Services, you will receive a confirmation that your application was received and a determination of your enrollment into MadCAP within 7-14 days. This confirmation letter will be sent via email. If no email address was provided, the confirmation letter will be delivered in the mail to the address on file. 

If I have an eligible household income, am I automatically enrolled in MadCAP?

In addition to earning an eligible household income, you must also:

  1. Be a residential customer
  2. Have the Municipal Services Bill in your name
  3. Your household income must meet the program guidelines as shown in the table above
  4. Provide last year’s tax return or a benefits statement from Social Security to verify your income
  5. FOR HOMEOWNERS ONLY: Home owners must take part in a water conservation program. Options include:
    1. Take part in MWU’s Toilet Rebate Program. If you have received this rebate already, that counts. or
    2. Take part in MWU’s Home Water Conservation Program through Project Home to evaluate options for water-saving toilets and fixtures, and to fix water leaks.

What is the Toilet Rebate Program?

Madison Water Utility offers bill credits of up to $100 for customers who replace high water using toilets with EPA WaterSense-rated High Efficiency Toilet (HET) models. Toilets eligible for rebate must be HETs and must be on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense list. Learn more about the Toilet Rebate Program.

NOTE: MadCAP applicants must take part in a conservation program to qualify for the bill credit. If you choose to participate in the Toilet Rebate Program (instead of the Home Water Conservation Program), please be sure to send your completed Toilet Rebate Program application along with your completed MadCAP application and income verification document to madcap@cityofmadison.com or by mail to 119 E Olin Avenue, Madison, WI 53713.

What is the Home Water Conservation Program?

The Home Water Conservation Program aims to help low-to-moderate income homeowners reduce water waste, increase efficiency, and save money on their water bills. Project Home does this by evaluating household needs for potential water-saving improvements, including fixing plumbing leaks, or the installation of a high-efficiency toilet and/or other water-saving devices. Conservation improvements done by Project Home are at minimal to no cost to the homeowner.

NOTE: MadCAP applicants must take part in a conservation program to qualify for the bill credit. If you choose to participate in the Home Water Conservation Program (instead of the Toilet Rebate Program), please be sure to send the Home Water Conservation Program application along with your completed MadCAP application and income verification document to madcap@cityofmadison.com or by mail to 119 E Olin Avenue, Madison, WI 53713.

What is your community outreach and engagement approach for MadCAP?

We take a multifaceted approach to community outreach and engagement. Meaning, we utilize several different methods and strategies to inform as many people as possible about MadCAP through equitable approaches that alleviate traditional barriers to enrollment. Please read the MadCAP Program & Communications Plan for more in depth look at community outreach and engagement strategies. 

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