May 31, 2023
ALERT: Material Shortages and Supply Chain Crisis Causing Delays
The electrical and broadband industries are facing a nationwide crisis in the... Read more
Assistance Programs
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 bill or need to adjust their energy use to keep their bills in control.
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If financial problems make it unable for you to pay your bill, please call us or visit one of the PUD offices to make a payment arrangement.
We want to help, so be ready to clearly let us know what’s 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 work with all customers. They specialize in referring customers to assistance agencies that may be able to provide financial aid (such as the Community Action Council of Mason County).
Energy Assistance Appointments, with Community Action Council of Mason County, can be scheduled online.
Federal Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
Online: To prequalify online, go to CAC Energy Assistance (caclmt.org)
By Phone: To prequalify by phone, call (360) 426-9726.
The CAC manages the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides equitable, confidential, and reliable 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 availability of funds.
Contact Community Action Council (CAC) at 360-426-9726 or visit their website at www.caclmt.org to learn more about their health, housing, energy and weatherization programs.
LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANT GRANT & PROJECT SHARE
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant and Project Share programs are in place to assist low-income customers with their home energy costs.
Both the Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant and Project Share programs are available for energy assistance to low-income households. In addition, the Low-Income Grant gives priority to those 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.
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 Low-Income Assistance and meet the eligibility and verification requirements will be issued a one-time credit of $325 for qualified Low-Income grant applicants and/or $175 for qualified Project Share applicants to their PUD 3 electric bill. Qualified customers may receive up to $500 total.
Customers currently receiving PUD 3’s Low-Income Senior Discount or Low-Income Disabled Discount are not eligible for the Low-Income Energy Assistance grant but are eligible for Project Share.
To apply for one or both programs, click on the link below to fill out the online application. Please include supporting income and energy source documentation.
Customers who qualify for the PUD 3 Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant are also able to participate in our low-income energy efficiency programs.
Click here for a printable application - ENGLISH
Click here for a printable application - SPANISH
If you have any questions or would like to know more about this grant program, contact us at 360-426-8255.
Free yourself up with PrePay.
Would it be easier for you to make weekly or biweekly payments rather than one large payment each month? If so, PrePay may be right for you.
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 — helping you budget.
Check out our PrePay page for more information.
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 at hello@masonpud3.org 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 website.
Below are a few other partners that may be able to help during these times:
- Salvation Army - Belfair Community Church (360) 275-6031 Leave message for return call
- Veterans Assistance – (360) 426-4546
- Faith in Action – (360) 275-0535 providing services to seniors for food and medical
- SPIPA – (360) 426-3990 ask for Debbie
- Love Inc - (360) 426-3091 - Leave a message for return call
- A Gift for Special Children - (360) 427-7058 - Leave message for return call
- Turning Point – (877) 923-1212
- Shelton Mason County Chamber
- Economic Development Council of Mason County
- Olympic National Forest – Firewood Permit Information (360) 956-2402
Mason PUD 3’s electric assistance programs are very effective in providing a helping hand to customers in need. The Low Income Fiber Discount expands assistance programs to fiber Consumers and allows qualifying low income households to see a slight reduction in broadband access costs.
This discount amounts to a $10/month reduction in wholesale costs to the retail service provider. Participating retailers have made a commitment to not only pass on the discount to the end user, but to match it with an additional $10/month discount. This means, qualifying customers are eligible to receive a $20 discount on their internet bill.
The result of this partnership brings the estimated retail cost of high speed broadband on PUD 3 fiber (1000Mbps down/up) for qualifying low income customers to lower than the published DSL rates in Mason County.
Mason PUD 3 is the first public utility in Washington State to offer assistance programs for fiber access.
Qualifying Consumers must meet the program requirements for Low Income Senior Citizens & Disabled Customers (see above). This offering is limited to locations where PUD 3 fiber access is available. The Fiberhood Construction Adder is not eligible for this discount.
PUD 3 offers a wide variety of programs that can improve energy efficiency for electrically heated homes. Incentives include upgrading a heating system, increasing insulation, rebates on new energy efficient appliances, and many more possibilities.
Our conservation web page has lots of information about these incentives and low cost tips on adjusting the way you use electricity that came make a large impact on your monthly bill.
This is a great program if you want to know how much your monthly electric bill will be, for those who are on a fixed income, or who travel. Budget Billing is not a way to save money. You should still monitor your energy usage. However, with this program you’ll know what your electric bill will be each month to help you plan accordingly.
There are no income guidelines and no extra charges. If you’ve been in your house for twelve months, May is the perfect month to sign up. To qualify, your account must be current, with a zero-balance.
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 lowincome 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.
May 24, 2023
June 7: Planned for Customers on Fredson/Ryan Road Area
Customers in the affected area have been notified by mail. Read more