A cold spell could bring Milwaukee and surrounding areas in the below zero range this winter.

Milwaukee County Health and Human Services sent a message asking people to look into energy assistance 

if they cannot pay their heating bills.

In a release sent out today the county warns of the following:

“These temperatures can be dangerous to the elderly and to those taking certain medications who are 

sensitive to temperature changes,” said Héctor Colón, Director of the Department of Health and Human 

Services. “Every year, people in our community die because of the extreme temperatures. Energy 

Assistance Services are vital to keep residents safe and warm this winter.”

The release says more than 30,000 people in the county have applied for the assistance.

Henry Walters' household receives the assistance.

"Originally we paid for everything as we went along," said Walters.

After retirement, Walters was paying for rising heating costs with a limited income. When he found out he was eligible, he signed up for the program.

"Usually we have about 50 to 60,000 people apply, but we know that in Milwaukee County there's about 150,000 households that could qualify for our program," said Diane Zettelmeier Energy Assistance Coordinator.

County residents can apply for energy assistance now until May 15, 2016. The release also details how to sign up:

Residents can apply for energy assistance anytime between now and May 15, 2016. They can set up an appointment to apply for Energy Assistance one of three ways:
•    By phone: 414-270-4-MKE  (414-270-4653)
•    Online: Schedule an appointment at www.ca-apps.org/MilwaukeeHeat
•    In person: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

o    North - 4906 W Fond du Lac Avenue (Fond du lac and Capitol)
o    Downtown - 728 N James Lovell Street (7th and Wisconsin)
o    South – 2701 S Chase Ave (between Lincoln and Oklahoma)
o    West Allis - 6761 W Greenfield Ave

*All locations will be closed on Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For immediate assistance, including furnace issues, residents can dial 2-1-1. For more information on eligibility or to set up an appointment to apply for Energy Assistance, visit energyassistancemke.org.