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Assistance Programs

We all need a little help sometimes. PUD 3 is just a click away.

If you or someone you know could use energy assistance, PUD 3 has programs for bill assistance and energy efficiency incentives for low-income households, and partners with other programs who can help.

Community Action Council & LIHEAP

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides energy assistance services to low-income families and individuals. Amounts are determined by household size, income, heat source, and the previous year’s energy usage and are based on the availability of funds. Contact the Community Action Council (CAC):

Project Share

This program is available for low-income households with priority to customers who have a high energy burden in compliance with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) legislation (RCW 19.405.120). Learn more about eligibility and apply below:

Apply for Project Share

Eligibility is determined by household size, income, and energy burden. Energy burden is defined as the share of annual household income used to pay annual home energy bills.

  1. Households meeting income requirement with energy burden of less than 6% will receive a one-time credit of $175.
  2. Households meeting income requirement with energy burden of 6% or greater will receive a one-time credit of $500.

Customers currently receiving PUD’s Low-Income Senior Discount or Low-Income Disabled Discount are not eligible for the Project Share program. However, these and other customers who qualify for Project Share can participate in our low-income energy efficiency programs.

To apply for this program, click on the link below to fill out the online application. Please include supporting income and energy source documentation.

Apply Today - English   Apply Today - Spanish

If you would like to know more about Project Share, contact us at (360) 426-8255.

Pre-Pay

Would it be easier to make weekly or biweekly payments rather than one large payment each month? PrePay is a pay-as-you-go plan that puts you in control of your electricity usage. You pay in advance — when you want, in the amount you want. To learn more, please call (360) 426-8255 or visit one of the PUD offices.

Payment Arrangements

If you need a little help keeping your bill paid, please call (360) 426-8255 or visit one of the PUD offices to make a payment arrangement. We will talk about what specifically is causing your payment problem and work together to take care of the unpaid balance.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs

Customers may also qualify for our low-income energy efficiency programs (including senior discount or low-income disabled discount customers). Incentives are offered on washers, dryers, heat pump water heaters, as well as ductless heat pumps.

Additional Resources

Other Financial Assistance Available

If you are concerned about being disconnected, we can help you figure out how to move forward. The best thing you can do is call us at (360) 426-8255 or email us and talk about your options. We can set up payment arrangements and get you in contact with agencies that can help you with your bills.

PUD 3 partners with Community Action Council for the issuance of our project share fund and Energy Assistance, they can be reached at (360) 426-9726 or find more information on their Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties website.

Below are a few other partners that may be able to help during these times:

Weather Disconnect Moratoriums

Winter Disconnect Moratorium

A customer may qualify for protection from disconnection of his/her electric service from November 15 through March 15 under the winter shut-off moratorium if he/she: 1) notifies PUD 3 of the inability to pay the bill within five (5) business days of receiving a past due notice; 2) has applied to the Community Action Council (CAC) for low income energy assistance and is qualified to receive assistance on his/her PUD 3 account; 3) has applied to CAC for low income weatherization assistance; and 4) agrees to and maintains a payment plan. For further information, please call one of the PUD 3 offices.

Extreme Heat Disconnect Moratorium

Residential customers who have experienced a disconnection due to non-payment now have the option to request reconnection during periods of extreme heat, as determined by the national weather service. When an alert such as an excessive heat warning, heat advisory, excessive heat watch, or a similar notification is issued for the specific area where the customer resides, they can contact PUD 3 at (360) 426-8255 to initiate the reconnection process. Rest assured that electricity will remain uninterrupted throughout the duration of the heat event.