Home Heating/Energy Assistance Programs

Hi, if you or someone you know are having difficulty paying for heat or electricity this winter several programs are available to low income households to make home energy use more affordable, avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm and safe environment especially for the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (or LIHEAP) is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating needs.

Puget Sound Energy’s HELP, provides assistance beyond what’s offered by LIHEAP, with the cost of natural gas consumption to qualified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) natural gas customers with an account in their name or in the name of a member of their household. HELP Provides Puget Sound Energy customers help with their home energy costs and Natural gas bill assistance. PSE's energy-conservation program also provides free weatherization assistance to qualified low-income households to help reduce energy usage. Funding covers energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, lighting and refrigerator replacements.

If you need help paying your heat bill this winter, call the Energy Assistance Hotline at 800-348-7144 to apply for LIHEAP or HELP. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

If, you have electric heat through Seattle City Light and after LIHEAP assistance, you are still behind more than $250 and get an urgent or shut off notice, call City Light's ELIA program at 206-684-3688. If you still need help after LIHEAP and ELIA, or if you are ineligible for LIHEAP and ELIA, call about City Light's Project Share funds 206-684-3000. Also, The City of Seattle Utility Discount Program provides reduced utility rates for income eligible families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Qualified applicants receive a 50% discount on their Seattle City Light bill: call 206-684-0268 or e-mail UDP@seattle.gov.

But first you should call Energy Assistance Hotline to determine if you are eligible for LIHEAP and PSE HELP and to schedule an appointment with the provider that serves your community. In Seattle energy assistance is administered by Centerstone, in South King County the Multi-Service Center administers the program, and in North & East King County the energy assistance program is through Hopelink. To schedule an appointment at one of the three participating agencies (which is determined by ZIP code) you must call 1-800-348-7144.