More than $27 million in bill-payment assistance available for qualified, low-income Puget Sound Energy customers

For Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE’s) low-income customers, monthly energy bills can be a hefty burden, especially now that cold weather has moved in. But many might not realize there’s currently more than $27 million available for qualified PSE customers who need help paying their electric and natural gas bills.

January 7, 2016 7:26 pm

For Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE’s) low-income customers, monthly energy bills can be a hefty burden, especially now that cold weather has moved in. But many might not realize there’s currently more than $27 million available for qualified PSE customers who need help paying their electric and natural gas bills.

There are several programs to help customers receive financial help with their bills, manage their household utility budgets and lower their home energy usage. These programs are administered by local community-services agencies in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Federal Bill Payment Assistance

Eligible PSE customers can apply for more than $9 million under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offered by the federal government.

PSE’s HELP Program

Also for qualified customers, there’s more than $18 million in PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) that offers additional bill-payment assistance.

Warm Home Fund

This program, administered by The Salvation Army, provides emergency utility bill assistance during the winter to qualified low-income households served by PSE. The fund is composed of voluntary contributions from PSE, its customers and employees. Local Salvation Army offices will have more information.

Weatherization Assistance

The state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, with funding support from PSE, provides free weatherization to houses, apartment units and mobile homes of income-eligible customers to help reduce energy use and lower bills by up to 30 percent. This includes free upgrades such as insulation, sealing air leaks, lighting and refrigerator replacement.

PSE customers can call 1-866-223-5425 for more information on the programs and to see if they qualify. Specific details and a list of agencies by county can be found on PSE’s website at pse.com.

If customers are not eligible for bill-payment assistance and they’re having difficulty paying their bills, they can call 1-888-225-5773 or sign in to their myPSE account to set up payment arrangements to avoid having their account go in arrears.