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Easy Ways to Get Help with Power Bills in Washington

Easy Ways to Get Help with Power Bills in Washington

If you need help with power bills in Washington, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been there before and so have many of our readers.

When we lived in Washington, we were once shocked by a $3,364 power bill from Puget Sound Energy! Fortunately, we knew where to go for help… and we ended up with thousands of dollars in pledges and more than $18,000 in free home improvements!

That’s why I’ve assembled this list. I know that too many people are struggling with high power bills and have no idea where to turn. If you need help with your power bill in Washington State, we’ll show you everything you need to know.

Statewide Power Bill Assistance Programs

If you are low income and having a hard time paying your utilities, you may qualify for help from many sources. The best place to start is with the government programs that help with power bills in Washington.

LIHEAP

LIHEAP stands for the “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.” This federal program provides funds to help low income Washingtonians afford and maintain their utilities throughout the winter. They also have funds that can help you in the summer or when you’re facing an emergency disconnection.

If you are eligible for LIHEAP, the program can pay a one-time grant directly to your utility company. This program may also be able to help you replace your cooling or heating system that is broken, malfunctioning or unsafe.

When we received or $3,364 power bill back in 2017, LIHEAP generously paid around $1,000 toward our balance. The amount you receive will depend on your household size, income, and annual heating costs.

You will need to apply with your local county agency. LIHEAP is usually administered by your local Community Action Council. You can use this map to find the right office in your area.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Families who qualify for LIHEAP may also be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program. This program can help to make your home more energy efficient, which can greatly lower your monthly electricity payments. This program doesn’t provide immediate cash assistance, but they can help reduce your future bills!

By improving the energy efficiency of your dwelling, the weatherization program makes it so your home holds heat in the winter and stays cool in the summer all by itself, so that you don’t have to spend so much money on utilities. It really works, too!

Along with our LIHEAP grant, we received around $18,000 in free home improvements that reduced our power bill from $650 per month to around $150 per month! Although I was grateful to receive help with our power bill, I was even more grateful that WAP was able to reduce our future bills to an amount we could manage.

You can usually apply for Weatherization Assistance Program with the same agency that administers LIHEAP. When I applied for LIHEAP, I was automatically approved for WAP. It saved a lot of time being able to apply for two programs at the same time!

Nonprofits & Charities that Help with Power Bills

Beyond government initiatives and utility company programs, numerous nonprofits and charities across Washington play a crucial role in offering assistance with power bills. These organizations provide a safety net for those in urgent need, often filling gaps with emergency funds, grants, and support services tailored to prevent utility shutoffs.

Community Action Agency

These organizations help coordinate LIHEAP and Weatherization services, as well as other programs that can help you with housing and food. If you need help because you are dealing with a shut off, this is one of the best places you can start.

Find your local Community Action Agency by searching for your agency on the Washington State’s Community Action Partnership website. You can either call them or go to the website of your county’s council to get assistance.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army chapters often assist with emergency shelter, food & nutrition services, and emergency financial assistance, including high utility costs.

Contact your local Salvation Army to see if they offer utility assistance.

St. Vincent de Paul

In most areas, St. Vincent de Paul will also assist with emergency utility assistance in WA. However, you are typically required to meet income requirements and provide a shut-off notice. 

It may take a little while for the program to get to everyone who applies, so if you are facing a utility emergency, please contact your local St. Vincent de Paul right away to reserve your spot for assistance.

Legal Aid

Washington State has laws regarding utility disconnections. If your utility provider does not follow them, you may be able to follow up with Legal Aid for assistance. We’ve found a list of free and low-cost legal services in Washington State that may be ablet o help you.

Local Charities

There are hundreds of local charities that help with power bills in Washington. It would be impossible to list them all in this post, so we have included more information about them in our local assistance directories. For more information, select your power company from the list in the Local Assistance section below.

Company Assistance Programs

In addition to government and non-profit assistance, many utility companies in Washington offer their own support programs to help customers manage their power bills. These programs can range from bill discounts and flexible payment plans to emergency assistance for those facing financial difficulties.

Budget Billing

Budget Billing programs are designed to even out your utility payments throughout the year, making your household budgeting easier to manage. Instead of facing high bills during peak usage months, you pay a consistent, average amount each month.

This amount is typically calculated based on your past energy usage, and adjustments are made periodically to account for any over or underpayment. It’s an ideal solution for customers who seek predictability in their monthly expenses, helping to avoid the surprise of seasonal spikes in energy costs.

Just be careful! It was a budget billing mishap with Puget Sound Energy that led to our $3,364 power bill in 2017. This happened because we signed up for Budget Billing when we had only lived in the home for a few months. They based our usage off of the previous tenant’s usage, even though the previous residents had been an elderly couple and there were 13 people in our household at the time. Make sure to verify your actual usage against your budget billing amount to prevent any problems.

Discount Programs

Discount Programs offered by utility companies provide financial relief to qualifying low-income households. These programs can significantly reduce the monthly energy bills of eligible customers, ensuring that basic utilities remain affordable for everyone.

Eligibility criteria often include income level, household size, and sometimes specific conditions like age or disability. Discounts are typically limited to seniors, veterans, or people with very low incomes.

Energy Audits

Energy Audits are a critical component of energy conservation efforts, offered by many utility companies either for free or at a reduced cost. During an audit, a professional auditor assesses your home for energy inefficiencies and areas where improvements can be made, such as insulation, windows, and heating and cooling systems.

The result is a detailed report highlighting how you can reduce energy consumption and lower bills, often including recommendations for minor adjustments and potential upgrades that can lead to significant savings over time. If you apply for WAP, you’ll usually get an energy audit performed before any improvements are made.

Payment Arrangements

Payment Arrangements are available for customers who find themselves unable to pay their bill by the due date. Utility companies are often willing to work with customers to set up a payment plan that splits the overdue amount into manageable installments, along with their current charges, to avoid disconnection.

Some companies may also be willing to let you adjust your due date so that it better aligns with your paydays. This has been very helpful for me in the past, as well.

Disconnection Waivers

Disconnection Waivers offer a temporary safeguard against the loss of utility services due to non-payment, particularly during extreme weather conditions or for households with special circumstances, such as medical needs.

To qualify, customers typically need to provide proof of hardship or meet specific criteria set by the utility company, emphasizing the program’s role in ensuring basic human rights to warmth and safety.

Local Help with Power Bills

As usual, the best discounts and money-saving secrets are specific to your local area. We’ve found that many utility providers in Washington State offer discounts, free stuff (like appliances) and more. We’ve also found many programs that can assist with power bills.

To see what’s available near you, please find your energy provider in the list below.

Relief Recap

There are many ways that you can get help with power bills in Washington State! From government assistance programs to local charities, there are many organizations with funds that are designed to help low income Washingtonians keep their utilities connected. Contact the providers on this list for help right away!

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.

Catherine Marucci

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Hi Stasha. One of these programs may be worth looking into: https://lowincomerelief.com/wa-low-income-home-repair/ Also, this might offer a temporary solution: https://lowincomerelief.com/free-space-heaters-and-more/

JENNIFER SCHULTZ

Sunday 8th of October 2023

INLAND POWER & LIGHT HAVE NOTHING LISTED. ONLY A REPEAT OF NOTHING.

Nelson Montenegro

Sunday 3rd of April 2022

what about Whatcom County?

Isaac

Tuesday 12th of April 2022

Great question! I’ll get that added to our research list and we’ll get that information added as soon as we can.