Winter can be stressful – the dark days, dropping temperatures, and increased expenses are no joke. Not only does the cold bite at people’s skin when they leave their homes, but it also makes them turn up the lights and heat, which means higher utility bills. Many families find themselves facing tough choices, like whether to pay for heat or buy groceries.

It’s hard to reach out for help. But the last thing any of us want is for children, families, or older adults to be cold – so Opportunity Council is here to help.

A Guide to Energy Assistance Programs

We all need utilities to keep our homes warm, safe, and comfortable – but many families struggle with the higher costs of heat and electricity during the winter. The costs that come with cooler temperatures and darker days are further increased when folks reside in inefficient homes that lack sufficient insulation or haven’t been weatherized. That increase in costs can be the tipping point for many families and older adults just trying to get by. Too many people are one high power bill away from falling behind on payments and losing power.

The good news is that help is available. At Opportunity Council, we want to help ease the burden of these expenses. Our energy assistance programs keep families and older adults on stronger footing so they can focus on what truly matters.

What Costs Can Opportunity Council Help With?

We may be able to help with the costs of:

• Electricity
• Natural Gas
• Propane or Heating Oil
• Wood or Presto Logs
• Furnace Repair or Replacement

Through the multiple options for energy assistance that they can apply for, utility customers can find a program to help with their unique needs.

Available Energy Assistance Programs

We help families connect with these programs to make ends meet:

1. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• LIHEAP, a federal program administered locally by Opportunity Council, can help with a range of heating costs including electricity, natural gas, pellets, wood or presto logs, propane, or even heating oil.

LIHEAP also offers:

• Furnace Repair: Homeowners can apply for repairs or replacement of their heating systems.
• Portable Air Conditioners: Older adults, people receiving federal disability benefits, and families with young children receiving LIHEAP assistance may also be eligible for a portable air conditioner.

2. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Programs

• Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) is one of the PSE programs we partner with. It supports Puget Sound Energy customers through one-time grants to help cover their electric bills.
• The Bill Discount Rate (BDR) gives monthly discount rates to lower bills for people who qualify.
• The Past Due Bill Forgiveness Plan program is an optional program available to receive alongside other PSE assistance and helps customers manage past-due amounts, potentially forgiving part of their debt (up to $2,500) with 12 on-time bill payments. They’re eligible when they are more than 30 days past due and must opt in to PSE HELP or the Bill Discount Rate (BDR).

3. Cascade Arrearage Relief & Energy Savings (CARES)

• CARES offers a Bill Discount Rate program that gives discounts on monthly bills to income-qualifying folks.
• Its Arrearage Relief program may forgive part or all of past due balances and lets households apply twice per program year for up to $500 a year. They’re eligible if they’re already receiving the Bill Discount Rate.

4. OPALCO Energy Assist Program

• Members of Orcas Power & Light Cooperative may also qualify for their assistance program.
• The program provides a monthly bill credit to qualifying Residential rate customers who have qualified for assistance through another program for low-income households, and its amount depends on the number of people in the household.

How Applying for Help Works

Applications and appointments are determined by program funding, so they’re limited and fill up quickly. Adults over the age of 60 or people receiving federal disability benefits qualify for early scheduling:

• Early Senior Scheduling has already passed and took place September 9 – 18
• Early Disability Scheduling has already passed and took place September 30 – October 10

General scheduling for the public begins on November 2. Households and families can set up an appointment on our website.
For more information about the programs that help households and families stay warm and keep the lights on, visit the Opportunity Council website. To help make this possible for all people and families, donate today.