Everett Utility Offers Help For Those Afraid to Turn on Heat Due to High PUD Bills

September 27, 2012

Everett

Snohomish County PUDNow that Fall has officially arrived and temperatures have fallen, the Snohomish PUD is reminding customers in Everett that there are programs to help with the high cost of heating. No one should be afraid to turn up the heat now that summer is over. Snohomish PUD’s Neil Neroutsos sent some suggestions today to My Everett News…

Low Income & Senior Assistance

Each year, PUD assistance programs help up to 25,000 senior citizens and low-income customers who are struggling with electric bills. The programs offer discounts of 20, 40 and 60 percent off normal rates. The low-income discount currently is available to PUD customers who have a household annual income that is below 125 percent of the federal poverty level ($27,938 for a family of four). Also eligible for discounts are senior citizens who are 62 years of age or older and have a combined disposable annual income of less than $26,923.

Help from Customer & Employee Contributions

Project PRIDE is a program to help low-income customers, funded through voluntary donations from PUD ratepayers and contributions to the Red Cross of Snohomish County. Another local program, Helping Hands, receives donations from PUD employees to assist low-income senior citizens with their utility bills.

Budget Payment Plan

The PUD offers a Budget Payment Plan that’s designed to make bill paying easier by calculating equal payments for customers each month through the year. The plan is available at any time of the year to customers with a zero balance. The PUD recommends that you obtain one year of service at your current address before starting the plan to establish an accurate payment amount. You may apply for the BPP by phone or in person at any PUD office. Customer service representatives are available to quote a monthly payment for you or answer any other questions.

To learn more about these programs, or how you can contribute to help others, call the PUD’s Customer Service Department at 425-783-1000.

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My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring news and events in Everett, Washington. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live and work in Everett.

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