Energy Assistance (LIHEAP & PSE HELP) offered by Hopelink in Shoreline

Energy Assistance (LIHEAP & PSE HELP) offered by Hopelink in Shoreline

Provides financial assistance to income-eligible households to help with heating and other energy bills, as well as water bill assistance. There are two types of funding available: Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can assist with heating costs, including electricity, gas, wood, oil or propane, as well as water. PSE HELP can assist Puget Sound Energy customers with gas and electric bills in addition to LIHEAP assistance. Once an appointment is scheduled or application packet submitted, applicants should contact their utility company with their appointment confirmation number. In most cases, the utility company can put a hold on the shut-off process once the applicant has a confirmed energy assistance appointment. To prepare for their appointment, applicants can go to hopelink.org/energy to get information on eligibility and required documentation. The scheduling webpage also has a link to check or cancel an existing appointment. If clients do not have internet access, they can call the scheduling line to check or cancel their appointment, or to listen to eligibility and required documentation. Clients with questions not answered on the website or the Appointment and Information Line can call their local Hopelink main office number during office hours. Clients who have already received or been approved for LIHEAP energy assistance this program season may be eligible to receive a free portable air conditioning unit. Hopelink may not be able to get an AC unit to everyone who requests one this program year. Those who have not yet applied for LIHEAP this year will not be able to request an AC unit until the next program year. FAQ : - On average, appointments are scheduled for four weeks from the day the appointment is set. - Qualified applicants will have a fixed amount paid to the utility company depending on housing type, household income and energy use.

Location

17837 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133

Hours

24 hours daily.

Application process

IF POWER IS ALREADY DISCONNECTED: Clients should call their local Hopelink main office number and expect to reach voicemail. Leave a detailed message and Hopelink will return the call as soon as possible. The message should include: - Name - Phone number - Shut-off date - Name of utility provider and energy account number, if applicable PSE HELP may be applied for directly online with no appointment necessary. If power is not yet disconnected, use one of the methods below to apply for LIHEAP: Scheduling an appointment: You can schedule an in-person or phone appointment. To schedule, visit the website or call the Energy Assistance Appointment and Information Line. Using the website is recommended as it is a faster method of receiving appointments. Clients also get to see a full availability calendar and choose a date and time, while the phone line only provides the next available. The phone line is automated, so calls can be made any time, 24 hours daily. Be prepared to listen closely to the recording and write down all documentation required at the appointment. The phone and website pull from the same pool of available appointments. New appointments are released Mondays at 9am. If the appointments are filled, try again the following Monday. Clients with disabilities who are setting a phone-only appointment on the automated line may still receive appointment location information; this means that someone from that location will be calling soon to conduct your appointment over the phone. Appointments are not scheduled on the main office line. Drop-off: Applications can be found on the website or by visiting your closest Hopelink center to pick up a packet in person. Energy Application Packets can be dropped off in a Hopelink drop-box, mailed to your local center, or emailed to the Energy Program. If you have not used Hopelink Energy Assistance before, it is recommended to schedule an appointment rather than dropping off an application if possible. If you have a phone appointment, you do not need to turn in a completed packet before your appointment; your specialist will go over what documents they need from you during your call. If you have already turned in a completed packet, you do not need to make a phone appointment. If you are unsure which method is best for you, we recommend making a phone appointment and a specialist will help you apply. For a free air conditioning unit, call your local Hopelink center and ask to be added to the air conditioner request list.

Eligibility

Those that are living within north and east King County, including ZIP codes 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, 98008, 98009, 98011, 98012 (King County only), 98014, 98015, 98019, 98024, 98027, 98028, 98029, 98033, 98034, 98039, 98040, 98045, 98050, 98052, 98053, 98074, 98075, 98077, 98065, 98068, 98072 (King County only), 98073, 98224, 98288 (King County only), 98133 (North of 145th St), 98155, 98160 and 98177 (North of 145th St). Gross household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for LIHEAP. NET household income must be at or below 80% Area Median Income for PSE HELP. Eligible residents may receive assistance one time per program year for LIHEAP and one time per program year for PSE HELP. Account must be in client's name or in a household member's name. Applicants with heat payment included in their rent are also eligible to apply for LIHEAP funding. LIHEAP and PSE HELP programs serve residents of private, public and subsidized (HUD/Section 8) housing. Overdue utility bill or shut-off notice is NOT required for PSE HELP. For LIHEAP, must have a disconnection/shut-off notice, or water/heat must already be shut off. For an air conditioning unit, clients must have already been approved for or received LIHEAP energy assistance since October 1, 2022, and must not already have access to cooling in their home or received a LIHEAP-provided AC in previous season(s).

Fee

None.

Languages

Interpreter services

Service area

98160 98155, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155, Shoreline, WA 98177, Shoreline, WA 98133, Shoreline, WA

Agency info

Hopelink

Hopelink serves our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness and who have low income, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities who are residents of north and east King County by providing them with knowledge, tools, and resources to gain and maintain financial stability. We offer transportation services in King and Snohomish counties and provide critical social services through programs that include housing, adult education, employment, family development, financial assistance, financial coaching, energy assistance, food assistance, and a vast referral network.