10/23/08

County can help with heating bills

Low-income families and the elderly in Snohomish County can apply for assistance with high winter energy bills from county programs that will distribute up to $3.1 million in local, state and federal grants.

“In these tough economic times, we’re going to find even more families needing help with energy bills,” said County Executive Aaron Reardon. “We’re ready to serve them and make paying the winter heating bill one less worry.”

Funds from the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) HELP program are already available. The program, which targets low-income PSE customers living in Snohomish County, began taking applications for assistance in early October.

Approximately 1,300 households were helped in 2007 through the PSE program, with an average gas grant of $359 per household. Program guidelines allow household income up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Federal assistance distributed through Snohomish County is expected to be available by November 17. Last winter the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provided nearly $1.9 million in assistance to more than 4,500 families in the county.

It’s estimated that this winter’s funding could be nearly 50 percent higher, at approximately $2.7 million. Final allocations to counties are expected in late October.

Average grants through the LIHEAP program were $408 per household and are anticipated to be the same this year, although county officials are optimistic they will be able to serve more families with the increased funding.

To find out if you qualify for assistance, phone (425) 388-3880 to request an appointment.

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