BELLEVUE, Wash., December 18, 2009 - Qualified Puget Sound Energy customers who need help paying their heating bills this winter will have access to a combined total of nearly $29 million in low-income assistance from PSE and federal funds distributed by local community service agencies.
PSE's Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) will provide almost $15 million and the federal government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will provide $14 million as a result of this week's signing by President Obama of the omnibus spending bill.
"While we've been able to reduce natural gas rates nearly 18 percent this year, saving residential customers nearly $15 on their average monthly bill, we recognize that more families than ever are struggling through these challenging economic times," said Bert Valdman, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PSE. "Our HELP program and LIHEAP are designed to help keep customers in need warm this winter."
Since October, the agencies have administered PSE's HELP program, which provides the utility's low-income electric and natural gas customers with bill-payment assistance.
The release of LIHEAP funds is expected to provide Washington state with a total of $81 million in energy assistance, and enable community service agencies to begin accepting applications from qualified families for the federal grants.
Depending on income and household size, a qualified low-income recipient can receive up to $1,000 from PSE's HELP and up to $1,000 in LIHEAP bill assistance.
For this heating season, similar to last year's, the community agencies serving residents in PSE's 11-county Washington state service area will receive $14.6 million through PSE's HELP program and a $14 million appropriation from LIHEAP.
During the 2008-09 heating season, more than 30,000 PSE customers were assisted by PSE's HELP and the federal LIHEAP programs.
Low-income families are urged to take advantage of the application process. "It's important for low-income families to get an early start on preparing for the winter heating season bills," said Valdman.
PSE customers needing contact information for the nearest community service agencies should call toll-free, 1-866-223-5425 or one of the agency in their county listed at the bottom of this Website.
|
| PSE HELP |
More than twice as much utilty-bill assistance now is available to eligible working families, seniors, the disabled,
single parents and others with limited income. In addition, the new PSE HELP program has higher income eligtibilty
then the long-standing federal energy assistance program.
|
How Much Help Can I Receive?
|
| PUGET SOUND ENERGY HELP |
offers eligible customers $50 - $1,000 per year in utility bill relief.
|
The precise amount of aid depends on household income and size of customer's electric or natural gas bills.
Because of the PSE HELP funds about 20,000 more households served by PSE can now get help paying their bills.
|
Who is Eligible for PSE HELP?
|
PSE residential customers with household income below 150 percent of the federal povery standard may be eligible for PSE HELP assistance.
|
| Maximum Household Income for PSE HELP Eligibility |
People living
in your home | Maximum monthly
earned income | Maximum monthy
net income |
| 1 | 1,692 | 1,354 |
| 2 | 2,277 | 1,821 |
| 3 | 2,861 | 2,289 |
| 4 | 3,445 | 2,756 |
| 5 | 4,030 | 3,224 |
| 6 | 4,614 | 3,691 |
| 7 | 5,198 | 4,159 |
| 8 | 5,783 | 4,626 |
| 9 | 6,146 | 4,917 |
| 10 | 6,500 | 5,200 |
Remember there are TWO programs to ask about...
FEDERAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) and PUGET SOUND ENERGY (HELP) |
Guide To Local Energy Assistance
South King County Energy Assistance (South Seattle) - (800) 348-7144
Central Area Motivation Program (Central Seattle) - (800) 348-7411
Hopelink Energy line (North and East King County) - (800) 348-7144
Snohomish County Human Services Deptmartment - (425) 388-3880
Kitsap County (Kitsap Community Resources) - (360) 479-1507
Metropolitan Development Council (Tacoma residents) - (253) 572-5557
Jefferson County (Olympic Community Action Program) - (360) 385-2571
Skagit County(Skagit County Community Action Agency) - (360) 428-1011
Whatcom County(Opportunity Council) - (360) 255-2193 or (888)-586-7293
Island County(Opportunity Council) - (360) 679-6577 or (800)-317-5427
Pierce County Department of Community Services(county residents) - (866) 223-1359
Pierce County Dept. of Community Services (Pierce county residents) - (800) 348-7144
Lewis County (Community Action Council
of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties) - (360) 736-1800
Thurston county (Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties) - (360) 438-1100
Kipsap County(HopeSource) - 1(509) 674-2375 (Cle Elum) or 1(509)-962-0435 (Ellensburg)
|