Mar 15, 2023
March 27 - Planned Power Outages for Timberlake Area
On Monday, March 27, approximately 480 customers in the Timberlakes community will... 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.
Winter Moratorium for Electric Heat Customers
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: notifies PUD 3 of the inability to pay the bill within five (5) business days of receiving a past due notice; 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; has applied to CAC for low income weatherization assistance; and agrees to and maintains a payment plan.
For more information, please call PUD 3 at (360) 426-8255.
Mason County Community Action Council (CAC) has Energy Assistance and Project Share Funding available.
Customers are encouraged to call CAC or go online to prequalify for help with their electric bill.
Online: To prequalify online, go to www.caclmt.org
By Phone: To prequalify by phone, call (360) 426-9726.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this information with anyone who may be in need of assistance. We encourage PUD customers to call as soon as possible as the funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis.
The CAC manages the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program, helping families stay safe and healthy through financial help with energy costs. The program begins in the fall and continues until all funds are committed.
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant Program is to assist low-income customers with their annual home energy costs in compliance with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) legislation (RCW 19.405.120).
Funding is available for energy assistance to CETA-defined low-income households with a priority to those customers with a high energy burden.
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 the Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant and meet the eligibility and verification requirements will be issued a one-time credit of $325 to their PUD 3 electric bill.
Customers currently receiving PUD 3’s Low-Income Senior Discount or Low-Income Disabled Discount are not eligible for this grant.
To apply, click on the link below to fill out the online application. Please include supporting income and energy source documentation.
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.
Federal Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
Contact Community Action Council (CAC) at 360-426-9726 or visit their website at www.caclmt.org to schedule an appointment to find out if you qualify for Federal LIHEAP funds. Assistance amounts are determined by household size, income, heat source and the previous year’s energy usage and are based on availability of funds.
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
During the coronavirus emergency, PUD 3 suspended disconnections, disconnect notices, and waived late fees - On October 1, 2021 collection activities on accounts resumed.
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.
Project Share is an assistance program that was started in 1983 to assist low-income customers, as certified by the Community Action Council, with their electric bills. The program is a joint effort of PUD 3, the Community Action Council (CAC), churches, interested citizens, and PUD 3 customers.
Through the generosity of donors, low income families can receive help with a $175 payment on their account.
APPLICATION PROCESS & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Customers in need will be referred to the CAC for a screening appointment. The CAC will determine eligibility for receipt of Project Share funds based on the following criteria:
- Customer needs assistance with his/her electric bill; or
- Customer needs assistance with a deposit to either open an account or re-establish service that has been disconnected for non-payment; and
- Customer’s income level must meet the “Low-income” requirements as defined by RCW 19.405.020.
To find out if you qualify call the Community Action Council at (360) 426-9726 or visit their website here.
Mason County Community Action Council is open Mon-Thurs from 7am - 5:30pm.
Please call Monday mornings at 10am for Project Share appointments.
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.
Dec 29, 2022
Mason PUD 3 Offices to Open Later in the Morning on Thursday, January 5
Employees will be attending a training the morning of January 5 - phone lines will... Read more