Emergency Low-Income Assistance Program offered by Seattle City Light

Emergency Low-Income Assistance Program offered by Seattle City Light

Provides grants to help qualifying low-income households pay electric bills. ELIA grants are provided once each year per household. Program serves Seattle City Light customers who have received an urgent or shut-off notice on a balance of $250 or more; participants may receive up to $200 maximum. To participate in ELIA, customers must first make the payment that is due to avoid disconnection, as well as payment arrangements on the remaining balance.   ELIA does not help with bills in collections, with the payment amount required to prevent shut-off or the reconnection required amount, but may be able to help with the additional outstanding balance once the shut-off prevention balance or reconnection required amount has been paid.   Offers multi-ethnic outreach through brochures that are available in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Spanish and Vietnamese languages.   Refers customers to Project SHARE if they need additional assistance, have exhausted all other resources, meet income specifications and have an account balance of $125 or more. Project SHARE is a program funded by customer donations. Initially, it will pay up to $250 towards an electric bill. If more assistance is needed, a customer may qualify to receive up to $250 in addition to the initial payment of $250.   Maximum amount of assistance available through Project SHARE is $500.

Location

700 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Hours

M-F, 8am-5pm.

Application process

Applicants MUST get an appointment with LIHEAP before receiving assistance from ELIA, UNLESS: -  They have total household income greater than 125% FPL (not eligible for LIHEAP) -  They have already accessed LIHEAP during the current season -  LIHEAP assistance for their area is currently closed In the above cases, an applicant may call ELIA directly for a screening and application.  

Eligibility

Seattle City Light customers only, whether inside or outside Seattle. Household income at or below 70% SMI.   Must be the primary utility account holder. Must have already obtained assistance through LIHEAP when that program is open for appointments in their area.   Must have an urgent or shut-off notice on a balance of $250 or more AND customer needs to first make the payment that is due to avoid disconnection, as well as make payment arrangements on the remaining balance.   ELIA refers callers to Project SHARE if more assistance is necessary. Project SHARE also serves Seattle City Light customers with a household income at or below 70% SMI.

Fee

None.

Languages

Interpreter services

Agency info

Seattle City Light

Provides Emergency Bill Assistance to help low-income customers pay emergency (past-due) electric bills. Refers City Light customers in need of additional utility assistance to the Utility Discount Program and/or Project SHARE.