Puget Sound Energy is reminding customers having trouble paying their heating bills that almost $29 million in monetary assistance is available this year from two low-income programs administered by community service agencies that recently received increased funding from the PSE and the federal government.
The utility also encourages customers to call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 to sign up for the balanced payment plan, which averages bills across a 12-month period.
PSE customers also can apply to The Salvation Army Warm Home Fund for emergency, short-term utility bill assistance. This fund is maintained by voluntary contributions from PSE employees, customers and shareholders. PSE customers should contact their nearest Salvation Army district office for more information about the Warm Home Fund.
“As we deal with this winter’s unusually cold and wet weather, particularly during these challenging economic times, PSE wants customers to know that help is available,” said Bert Valdman, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PSE. “This assistance, intended to help keep customers warm and stretch their budgets for other necessities like food and rent, was used by nearly 18,000 families last year. With increased funding this year, even more families should be able to get help paying their heating bills.”
Depending on income and household size, a qualified low-income recipient can receive $750 from PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program, or HELP, and up to $1,000 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) bill credits.
The amount of HELP aid given to a PSE electricity or natural gas customer depends on household size, income, and energy usage. The program is open to residential customers with household earnings up to 150 percent of the federal poverty standard. For a family of four, the income cap is $2,650 per month.
Both HELP and LIHEAP are administered by nonprofit community service agencies in each county PSE serves. HELP funds are available to PSE customers year-round while LIHEAP funds are available through June 30, 2009, or until the funding is exhausted.
Hopelink administers the program in Bellevue and can be contacted at 1-800-348-7144
HELP recently received a $4.8 million boost in funding as requested by the utility and approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which will provide nearly $14.7 million in 2009 to help low-income households served by PSE pay their natural gas and electricity bills.
Additionally, the federal government in November 2008 doubled the dollars earmarked for LIHEAP. Community service agencies serving residents in PSE’s 11-county Washington state service area will receive a $14 million appropriation from LIHEAP this year, representing a 100 percent increase over the 2008 funding level.
