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Energy Assistance Programs

Keep Warm Washington

If you are facing unmanageable energy bills, here are some options that will help keep your service turned on.

Company Programs

Choose your energy company from the list below to see their payment assistance options.

Avista Utilities

To help customers manage their energy use, Avista offers services to those who qualify for assistance in managing their energy bills, such as:

  • Comfort level billing.

  • Payment arrangements.

  • Special circumstantial referrals to area agencies and churches for help with housing, utilities, medical assistance, and other needs.

Avista also provides funding for energy assistance programs, which are administered through community action agencies.

Energy efficiency and outreach programs are offered, including rebates and incentives, tips, and resources to help customers manage their energy use and bills.

Learn more at www.myavista.com.

Cascade Natural Gas

Cascade offers short- and long-term payment arrangement plans and Weatherization Assistance Programs. The following bill payment assistance grant programs are currently available for Washington residential customers through the company’s partners at Community Action.

  • LIHEAP: Grants up to $1,000 that can be used for past due balances, future bills, or to reconnect service for households with income up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This is a federal program provided through the Washington Department of Commerce.

  • Washington Energy Assistance Fund: Grants up to $500 that can be used for past due balances, future bills, or to reconnect service for households with income up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

  • Winter Help: Grants between $50 - $200 that can be used for past due balances, future bills, or to reconnect service for households with income up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

CNG also works with other organizations that may provide bill payment assistance. Assistance programs are available year-round, and there is no charge for customers to apply.

Washington residents can also dial 2-1-1 to request contact information for local agencies that can help with energy assistance options.

Learn more at www.cngc.com.

Northwest Natural Gas

NW Natural assists customers by easing their energy burden through its low-income assistance programs:

  • Gas Residential Energy Assistance Tariff (GREAT): Bill assistance program.

  • Washington Low-Income Energy Efficiency program (WA-LIEE): Home weatherization program.

  • Gas Assistance Program (GAP): Supplemental low-income assistance program.

These programs complement and are in addition to federal funding available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). NW Natural works with local community action agencies to distribute these funds to income-qualified customers to alleviate their energy burden.

The company also offers several payment plans to help customers manage their monthly expenses. Equal Pay is an option that smooths out customer bills over 12 months to make their bills more predictable.

The company’s Level Pay and Current Bill Plus payment plans help provide more time and more manageable payments for those customers with existing balances.

Customers can enroll in these payment plans and learn about other payment and assistance options by calling the NW Natural customer service call center at 800-422-4012.

Learn more at www.NWnatural.com.

Pacific Power

Pacific Power offers assistance programs to Washington residents.

  • Low-income Bill Assistance Program (LIBA): Provides a bill discount to income-eligible households year-round. The program is administered through the LIHEAP agencies. 

  • State energy assistance: The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with energy costs. It is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce through local agencies.

  • Tenants and landlords: Resources from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program are available to help renters who are not able to pay their utilities and rent due to circumstances related to COVID-19. Funds are available for a limited time.

  • Weatherization services: Local agencies provide free weatherization services to income-qualifying homeowners and renters living in single-family homes, mobile homes, or apartments.

  • Project HELP: A nonprofit program providing energy assistance with donated funds.

Learn more at www.pacificpower.net

Puget Sound Energy

  • PSE Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP): PSE provides qualified customers with bill-payment assistance beyond the Washington state LIHEAP program. You do not need to owe a balance on your PSE bill to apply.

  • LIHEAP program: This government program provides financial assistance to eligible households to help them maintain affordable, dependable utility services and avoid disconnection. Your local community action agency can help you with eligibility requirements and your application.

  • Salvation Army Warm Home Fund: Administered by the Salvation Army and funded by voluntary contributions from PSE customers, employees, and investors.

  • Warm Home Fund: Provides short-term emergency bill payment assistance to PSE customers facing financial difficulties. Contact your local Community Action agency to learn more.

  • Payment arrangements: If you do not qualify for bill assistance, you still have options. With a payment plan, you do not have to pay your outstanding bill all at once. PSE will work with you to create a manageable payment schedule with a realistic timeline of up to 18 months.

  • Home Weatherization Assistance: This program provides free upgrades for single-family homes, manufactured homes, or eligible apartment buildings. Upgrades can include insulation, duct sealing, and much more.

  • Efficiency Boost: This PSE program offers higher rebates for equipment upgrades, such as space heaters, water heaters, and more.

Learn more at www.PSE.com.

See company contact information.

Payment Arrangements

The utility can shut off service if you fail to make those payments, so make sure you can pay on time. Call your utility directly to discuss payment arrangements. To confirm the arrangement details, ask the utility to send a confirmation letter that includes your agreed-upon payment schedule.

Budget Billing

Pay the same amount each month with budget or comfort billing programs. The utility takes an average of the energy costs from the last 12 months and gives you a set payment for the next year. This prevents higher bills in the winter and summer months while allowing you to better budget for your monthly energy bill.

The payment plan will be automatically adjusted at the end of the twelve-month budget period to charge only for the energy used. Budget Billing is open with no income limits at any time of the year. Contact your company for more details.

Payment Assistance

Funds are available to help low-income households pay heating bills during the winter. You may have to meet certain income or age eligibility standards to receive assistance.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides direct heating bill assistance using federal grants and eligibility standards.

For more energy assistance resources in your area, dial 2-1-1 from any phone.

Medical Emergency

Commission rules require regulated utilities to restore service or suspend disconnect actions if there is a medical emergency in the household. The utility must delay disconnection for a five-business-day grace period to allow you time to complete these steps:

  1. Submit a medical emergency certificate from your doctor.
  2. Pay at least 10 percent of the past due balance
  3. Make payment arrangements on the balance due.

Contact your utility to let them know there is a medical condition in the household. If you need help, contact the commission.

Winter Low-Income Payment Program

This emergency option allows low-income individuals who have used all other options to keep their heat on. By making payments of seven percent of the monthly household income, heat is provided from Nov. 15 through March 15 each year. Before March 15, you must make arrangements for the winter bill and pay the entire balance by Oct. 15.

Under this program, payment arrangements must be kept. Without payments, the utility can disconnect your electricity and refuse to reconnect until the entire balance is paid. Read the Winter Low-Income Payment Program Law or call the commission for more information.

Shutoffs During Heat Alerts

Commission-regulated electric and water companies cannot shut off service to residential customers for nonpayment during heat alerts issued by the National Weather Service.

Need Help? Call the Commission

Commission staff are always ready to answer your questions about regulated energy companies. If you have a problem, try to resolve your complaint with the company first, and ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary.

If you have an unresolved dispute with your energy company or have received a disconnect notice, contact the commission. We will work with the utility to help resolve your dispute or assist you in setting up payment arrangements.