Energy Assistance

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Low Income Rate Assistance Program (LIRAP)

What Is LIHEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps pay winter heating bills or summer cooling bills of low-income and elderly people. Funding is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Washington.

The LIHEAP provides a one-time benefit, to eligible households, to be used for energy bills. The amount of payment is determined by income, household size and fuel type. An overdue bill or shut-off notice is not required.

You may be eligible to receive assistance under LIHEAP if your household's combined income is at or below the following levels shown on the chart below. If you rent, and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, then your rent must be greater than 30% if your income in order to be eligible to receive benefits.

What Is LIRAP?

The Low Income Rate Assistance Program is for Avista customers to ease the energy burden on limited income customers due to the impact of rising energy prices and the gaps in available funding sources compared to need. The three categories of service available to Avista customers are:

• Avista Heat: Household benefits are based on a percentage of the customers heat bill.
• Avista Senior Outreach: Assistance available to fixed income seniors, 60 or older whose income is at or below 200 percent of poverty. The program standard benefit is $300.
• Avista Share: Emergency assistance is available to customers having a shut-off notice from Avista. Assistance is distributed on an individual basis and may be accessed only once per twelve month period.

Project Share

Provides one-time emergency heating assistance to Whitman County residents experiencing hardship. Anyone having a shut-off notice from a utility provider, or out of heating fuel, may seek assistance. Contact CAC and make an appointment. A Family Development Specialist will help to determine need and explore ways to avoid discontinued service. Project Share is funded by donations. Assistance is distributed on an individual basis and may be accessed only once per 12 month period.

How to apply

• First Step: Application. Contact CAC to schedule an appointment with a Family Development Specialist to apply for energy assistance. Please indicate if you have a shut-off notice. The staff member who takes your application will help you understand the requirements for the program, the type of assistance available and your rights under the program.
• Second Step: Notification The agency will determine if you are eligible based on the information provided. You will be notified of eligibility status within seven days of receiving all required documentations. If you are eligible, you will be informed of the amount of assistance you can receive. Once assistance is received the participant should notify your energy provider of your participation in the program if you have an energy bill.
• Third Step: Payment If you are eligible, the local agency will make the appropriate payment to your energy provider on your behalf. You will continue to be responsible for any bills that you receive until your provider receives the payment from the CAC.

Call for an Appointment

If you live in: Pullman, Albion, Palouse, Colton or Uniontown
Contact: Pullman CAC 509.334.9147/ 800.482.3991
If you live in: Colfax, Endicott, Garfield, Lacrosse, Lamont, Malden, Oakesdale, Rosalia, St John or Tekoa
Contact: Colfax CAC 509.397.2205/800.482.3992

When you apply for assistance, bring the following with you:

• Social Security Cards for all household members.
• Date of Birth for all household members.
• Proof of income for the past 3 months prior to your application date.
• Proof of Whitman County residency: something official with your current address.
• Most current utility bill or shut-off notice.
• If you are a student and receive financial aid, we need a copy of your financial aid letter.
• We will need to see proof if you receive or pay child support.