Energy Assistance

Many people in Seattle are facing financial hardship, especially in these tough economic times.  Our Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance through LIHEAP and PSE HELP to help low-income families and individuals pay home heating bills and minimize future home heating costs.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Through the federally funded program LIHEAP, CAMP helps over 9,000 households, providing over $4 million in assistance annually. LIHEAP offers the following services:

• Heating utility payment assistance of up to $1,000 per program year (From November 21, 2011 through June 30, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.)
• Energy conservation education
• Dysfunctional heating system repair or replacement up to $5,000
• Broken or inoperable window repair or replacement up to $1,000

Puget Sound Energy HELP (PSE HELP)
PSE HELP provides assistance with the cost of natural gas consumption to qualified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customers with an account in their name or in the name of a member of their household. PSE HELP offers the following services:

• Natural gas bill payment assistance up to $1,000 per program year (usually October to September)

How to Sign Up for These Programs

• Call (800) 348-7144 anytime, 24 hours a day/7 days a week to schedule an appointment. We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and available slots are filling up quickly. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, please call again on the first business day of the following week, when new appointments are added.
• If you have received a 24-hour disconnection notice from your energy provider or if you are elderly and/or homebound, please call CAMP directly at (206) 812-4940.

Eligibility

Service Area:

View the service area map for this program.

* Some residents of this zip code may be served through Multi-Service Center.
Please call (206) 812-4940 for more information.

Income Guidelines:

What to Bring to Your Appointment

To complete your application, you will need photocopies of the following documents.  Do not send the originals – we will need to retain these documents to process your application.

• Social Security Number verification for all household members 18 years or older. This may include a copy of Social Security Cards or medical, legal, education documents with the Social Security Number printed on it.
• Verification of all children living in the household. (Medical coupon, birth certificate, or social security card)
• Income verification for the past three months for each household member over 18 years of age. This may be in the form of check stubs, bank statements, receipts, etc.
• Current Lease, Rental Agreement, or rent receipt if you are currently renting your home
• A mortgage coupon or property tax statement if you are a home owner
• Current gas or electricity bill. If your heat is included with rent, please refrain from applying until after March 19, 2012.
• Valid Picture ID for all household members 18 years or older
• Signed  and dated “Applicant Fact Sheet”
• Signed and dated  “Energy Saving Tips” sheet
• Signed and dated Application

Client Testimonial: Jolene

Jolene heard about CAMP’s Energy Assistance Program and immediately scheduled an appointment. During her appointment she found that she was eligible to receive a LIHEAP grant of $500 to help pay her energy bill. No longer threatened with the power being shut off, Jolene negotiated small payments for the remainder of her power bill. “CAMP has been a huge help,”Jolene said. “The help goes beyond sending someone to fix the furnace or help pay bills. It really had an effect on my whole life when CAMP stepped in to assist me.”

Additional Resources

2-1-1: 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referrals. Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.