As colder weather settles in, low-income households that need help paying for heat and electricity can apply for assistance through programs that are supported by several island fuel vendors as well as Puget Sound Energy.
“I’d love to get the word out about this to more people,” said Dennis Williams of Williams Heating. “Staying warm enough in the winter is about as important as having enough food, and these programs are out there. It’s free money, and many people just don’t know about it.”
The programs that Williams is referring to are the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP).
“It’s common for my customers that have been involved with the programs to get as much as $1,000, which is a good deal of money,” he added.
LIHEAP is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program that was established in 1981 and is funded by federal grants to each state, with state legislatures providing additional funds at their discretion. In south King County, the program is administered by the county’s Multi-Service Center (MSC), which manages the application process and contracts with and disperses funds to local fuel vendors.
To be eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance, a household must have a monthly net income of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a four-member household net income of $2,484 per month or less would qualify. Funds from the LIHEAP program are available from October through June, or until the grant funds are depleted.
While also income-based, the PSE HELP net monthly income limits are slightly higher than those for the LIHEAP, and funding is available from PSE from October to September, or until funds are depleted.
Oksana Savolyuk, the Energy Program Director for the MSC, said that many households participate in both programs. According to Savolyuk, there were 95 households on Vashon benefitting from these programs last year.
Aside from Williams Heating, Vashon Energy offers propane through the LIHEAP program and the Vashon Market IGA offers firewood.
While the MSC website states that applicants must appear for an interview, Savolyuk said that they make exceptions for Vashon residents who have difficulty traveling off-island, and the interviews can be done by phone.
For more information on LIHEAP and PSE HELP, go to multi-servicecenter.com/get-help/energy-assistance or pse.com/accountsandservices/youraccount/low-income assistance. To apply through the MSC, call 1-800-348-7144.
