Appointments for Energy Assistance are coming soon! We will resume appointments for the 2024-2025 Energy Season in November or December 2024. We are currently processing pre-screened clients and PSE HELP applications. You can apply for PSE HELP via PSE.com.
We recommend reaching out to your utility provider if you cannot pay your bill to ask about payment options or other assistance they may have available.
If your power is completely disconnected, you’ve received an urgent shut-off notice, or have less than a 10-day supply of oil, wood or propane, you can call your nearest Hopelink center and/or 211 to check for crisis appointment options.
Energy Program Overview
Hopelink helps households reduce their home energy costs or avoid disconnection with our Energy Program. The goal of Hopelink’s energy program is to keep members of our community safe and healthy with a stable home environment. We believe a household should never have to choose between heating/cooling, electricity, or other necessities, such as food, healthcare, or shelter. Energy assistance funds enable our community members to devote their resources to other crucial expenses.
What You Need to Know
Assistance can range from $200 to $1250 per household and vary from year to year based on:
- Cost of energy usage over the previous 12 months
- Household’s average monthly income
- Number of people in the household
You are eligible to receive assistance for both LIHEAP/SHEAP (you will receive either LIHEAP or SHEAP based on eligibility) and PSE HELP once per program year (October 2024-September 2025). Clients receiving LIHEAP who do not currently have home-cooling access are eligible for one-time air conditioning units.
LIHEAP and SHEAP (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program” and “Washington State Home Energy Assistance Program”)
Funding is available for eligible clients (by income and location) for either LIHEAP or SHEAP based on income criteria and energy type. The same application and appointment will determine which grant is best for your household. Energy assistance grant payments are made directly to the energy provider on behalf of the eligible household, or paid to a vendor of oil, wood or propane deliverable fuel. LIHEAP eligible clients without home cooling access may receive a one-time air conditioning unit delivered directly to their home by indicating their interest/need during their appointment or application.
LIHEAP is available to households with incomes at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level and SHEAP to households with incomes at or below 80% area median income. Assistance ranges from $200-$1250 per household.
PSE HELP (Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program), Bill Discount Program, and Past Due Bill Forgiveness
PSE assistance is available to Puget Sound Energy customers with incomes at or below 80% area median income. PSE Customers may qualify for this assistance in addition to a LIHEAP or SHEAP grant.
PSE HELP provides assistance from $250 to $1000 once per program year. Enrollment in PSE HELP also enrolls you in PSE’s Bill Discount Program, adding a 5% to 45% ongoing monthly discount on your energy billing rate for lower bills overall. For clients with large past-due balances, they may be eligible for PSE’s Forgiveness Program which forgives a portion of the past due balance with each on-time payment over 12 months.
Clients can apply without additional documentation or proof of income through Hopelink or directly via pse.com. For more information about PSE’s assistance programs, visit here.
Seattle City Light customers may be eligible for up to 60% monthly discount on their energy billing rate. Visit Seattle City Light’s Utility Discount Program or call (206)-684-0268.
People who have been disconnected or have less than a 10-day supply of oil, wood or propane, should call their nearest center to schedule an emergency appointment.
In addition, those who have a disconnection notice should contact their energy provider immediately:
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE): 1.888.225.5773
- Seattle City Light (SCL): 206.684.3000
Eligibility
You must live within one of the following zip codes in order to qualify for Energy Assistance through Hopelink. If you live within the following zip codes, please proceed to the “Income Eligibility” chart below.
| Hopelink Service Areas | ||
|---|---|---|
| 98004 | 98012 * | 98029 |
| 98005 | 98014 | 98033 |
| 98006 | 98015 | 98034 |
| 98007 | 98019 | 98039 |
| 98008 | 98024 | 98040 |
| 98009 | 98027 | 98045 |
| 98011 | 98028 | 98050 |
| 98052 | 98072 * | 98160 |
| 98053 | 98073 | 98177 ** |
| 98074 | 98224 | 98288 * |
| 98065 | 98133 ** | 98155 |
(**) North of NE 145 St.
For the October 2024-Sept 2025 Energy Season:
| Household Size |
Monthly Income LIHEAP |
Monthly Income HEAP |
Monthly Income PSE HELP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,882 | $5,887 | $6,475 |
| 2 | $2,555 | $6,729 | $7,400 |
| 3 | $3,227 | $7,570 | $8,325 |
| 4 | $3,900 | $8,412 | $9,246 |
| 5 | $4,572 | $9,083 | $9,988 |
| 6 | $5,245 | $9,754 | $10,729 |
| 7 | $5,917 | $10,416 | $11,467 |
| 8 | $6,590 | $11,080 | $12,208 |
| 9 | $7,262 | $11,800 | $12,946 |
| 10 | $7,935 | $12,450 | $13,688 |
| 11 | $8,607 | $13,100 | $14,425 |
| 12 | $9,280 | $13,800 | $15,167 |
We will begin scheduling appointments for the 2024-2025 Energy season in November or December 2024 based on staff capacity. We are currently processing pre-screen client applications.
Appointments will be available via our online scheduler (which will be posted here) or by calling your nearest Hopelink center. PSE customers can apply for PSE HELP and Bill Discount program directly via pse.com
If your power is completely disconnected, you’ve received an urgent shut-off notice or have less than a 10-day supply of oil, wood or propane, you can call your nearest Hopelink center and/or 211 to check for crisis appointment options.
At this time, we do not provide general application packets for drop off.
Our goal is to get funds to you as quickly as possible. Having all your documents collected at the time of your phone appointment may help us process your application faster. If you are not sure what documents you need or do not have documentation of your income, your specialist will help you figure out what paperwork you need during the appointment. They can also help you find the easiest way to send in your documents.
PSE HELP applications will be processed without any required documentation such as proof of income or social security number, while LIHEAP/SHEAP assistance will require all listed documentation.
Please see this checklist of needed paperwork to have ready:
An application may take up to 6 weeks to complete. Continue paying bills and/or make payment arrangements to prevent disconnection. Once complete, Hopelink will send a letter informing applicants whether they qualify.