From October 2009 through July 2010, Hopelink awarded nearly $3 million in federal and Puget Sound Energy-funded grants to PSE customers living in North and East King County and needing assistance to pay their energy bills.

Over the 10-month period, Hopelink issued grants to more than 7,000 PSE customers from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, and from PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program, or HELP.

“We are pleased that the funding of both LIHEAP and HELP made a difference for our neighbors who needed assistance with paying their energy bills, especially during these tough economic times,” said Patrick Lawlor, Energy Programs manager.

Depending on income and household size, a qualified low-income PSE customer can receive bill credits totaling up to $1,000 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and $1,000 from PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program, or HELP. Each program’s average grant amounted to approximately $400 per household.