Anyone who’s been in a tight financial spot knows that in those times, every cent counts. For folks struggling financially this is when they begin to brace for months of cold weather and high energy bills. Clark Public Utilities doesn’t want people to have to choose between heating their homes and meeting their basic expenses.
“No matter if they’re living with ongoing financial challenges or managing a sudden crisis, customers who are worried about paying their energy bills should give us a call,” said Clark Public Utilities Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix. “We have resources available to assist people across a wide range of economic conditions.”
Starting today, the utility will begin scheduling Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program eligibility appointments to begin on Oct. 1. LIHEAP grants are given based on income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty line, household size, typical heating costs, and regardless of how a person heats their homes.
Clark County residents can find out about basic program requirements by calling 1-855-353-HEAT (4328) toll-free. Qualifying folks will receive an appointment to determine LIHEAP grant eligibility, as well as other utility and community assistance programs that may be available.
“If a customer doesn’t qualify for LIHEAP they may qualify for other energy assistance programs we offer,” said Clark Public Utilities Community Care Manager Gretchen Alexander. “In fact, in an effort to better meet the needs in our community and catch anyone who may have otherwise slipped through the cracks, we’ve raised the income thresholds of several of our assistance programs.”
During their regular meeting on Sept. 17, the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners approved a plan to raise the Guarantee of Service Program’s income limit from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level in order to increase participation.
Senior Rate Credits
Effective January 2018, the utility raised the income eligibility limit for the Senior Rate Credits program from a fixed level to one that’s 200 percent of the federal poverty level, based on a household of two. That step not only increased participation in the program, but prevented people from “earning out” of the program after they received cost of living increases from Social Security. Now, a customer qualifies if a senior, 62 above is living in a household with a combined income of less than $32,920.
Last year, the utility eased restrictions to qualify for Operation Warm Heart. Now, recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or subsidized housing residents can qualify for assistance.
The utility also adopted a pilot program that can offer emergency rent payments to LIHEAP-qualified households facing an eviction. Follow-up research proved the program helped 75 households avoid evictions and stay in their homes.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, call the utility. As a publicly owned nonprofit, it’s able to offer customers flexibility and assistance that isn’t possible with for-profit, investor-owned utilities.
“We want to make sure our programs reflect the economic realities people face,” Fix added. “Although the economy is getting better, we know that cost of living expenses in the county are rising faster than many people’s incomes.”
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
