This holiday my family wants to help local families. Do you have programs that we can participate in?
Yes, we offer several ways customers can help Clark County families needing financial assistance with their electric bills.
Our team of ComCare specialists helps customers connect with programs related to energy assistance and weatherization, and also housing, food and health care.
Unfortunately, the number of people facing financial difficulties continues to be high.
“Although we’ve been able to serve an increased number of households, the requests continue to grow,” said Gretchen Alexander, ComCare supervisor. “We’re seeing requests from households that have never before received assistance.”
If you need help
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: This federal program offers qualified households help with their heating bills. “The last two years, the federal government increased the funding, so we were able to serve over 6,000 households,” Alexander said. “This year, funding has returned to earlier levels, so we anticipate only being able to help approximately 3,000 households.”
• Operation Warm Heart: Clark Public Utilities customers fund this program with donations. It helps qualifying Clark Public Utilities customers who are not eligible for other forms of energy assistance. This year, Alexander estimates the program will help about 460 households, with an average grant of $300.
“One hundred percent of donations goes to the customer. We do not keep anything for administrative costs,” she said.
• Guarantee of Service Plan: Under this plan, income-qualifying customers’ monthly electric bill amount is based on their household income, following federal guidelines. Customers must apply for the program each year.
• Senior Citizen Rate Credit: Clark Public Utilities customers 62 and older with an annual household income of no more than $24,000 can receive a 50 percent credit on their Jan. 1 through April 30 bills.
If you can help
“The easiest way for Clark Public Utilities customers to help is to sign up to give something to Operation Warm Heart on their electric bill each month,” Alexander said. “Or they can make a one-time donation by sending an additional amount with their monthly payment.”
Customers can also buy gift certificates and make gift payments. Contact Clark Public Utilities to buy a gift certificate in any amount to give to a friend or neighbor. Or, make a gift payment in any amount directly to an individual’s utility account. The gift can be anonymous if you choose.
“We cannot discuss the status of the person’s account, but we will apply the gift amount to it,” Alexander said.
Alexander said her team has seen how the economy has affected virtually everyone in some way.
“We’re all in this together at this point. We know our customers will once again step up to help.”
The Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities energy counselors, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, in care of Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668. Past topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
