Page Menu

Assistance Programs

We all need a hand sometimes. We’re here to help.

If you or someone you know could use energy assistance, PUD 3 has programs for customers who are having difficulties paying their bills or need to adjust their energy use to keep their bills in control.

Community Action Council Assistance & LIHEAP

  • The CAC manages the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides energy assistance services to low-income families and individuals.
  • Assistance 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) at (360) 426-9726 or visit the CAC website to learn more about their health, housing, energy, and weatherization programs.
  • You can also schedule an energy assistance appointment online.

Project Share

  • The Project Share program is in place to assist low-income customers with their home energy costs.
  • This program is available for energy assistance to low-income households that gives priority to customers with a high energy burden in compliance with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) legislation (RCW 19.405.120).
  • Eligible customers are encouraged to apply.  See the application process and eligibility requirements below.
Application Process & Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is determined by household size, income, and an energy burden at or above 6%. Energy burden is defined as the share of annual household income used to pay annual home energy bills.

Customers who apply for the Project Share program and meet the income requirement but have an energy burden of less than 6%, will receive a one-time credit of $175. Customers who meet the income requirement and have an 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.

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

Customers who qualify for the PUD 3 Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant are also able to participate in our low-income energy efficiency programs.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about this grant program, 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? If so, check out our PrePay program.
  • 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.

Payment Arrangements

  • If financial problems make it difficult to pay your bill, please call (360) 426-8255 or visit one of the PUD offices to make a payment arrangement.
  • We want to help, so be ready to explain what specifically is causing your payment problem.
  • We’ll need a commitment on your part to work with us to take care of the unpaid balance.
  • Our customer service representatives may also refer you to assistance agencies that provide financial aid, such as the Community Action Council of Mason County.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs

  • Customers who qualify for the assistance programs mentioned above likely also qualify for our low-income energy efficiency programs.
  • 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.