If you’ve gotten sticker shock when opening your Snohomish PUD bill you may want to check to see if you have a little relief available. Here’s a reminder sent out today regarding the Snohomish PUD’s various assistance programs.
Here’s a quick qualification chart but there are also other programs available.
The programs currently provide reductions of 20 percent, 40 percent, or 60 percent off PUD electric and water bills. The discount percentage that customers receive depends on their income level.
Currently, the low-income discount is available to PUD customers who have a household annual income that is below 125 percent of the federal poverty level ($30,750 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 $28,973. Income thresholds are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, see the discount section on the PUD website.
For an application or more information about the PUD’s assistance programs, customers should visit www.snopud.com/discounts or call Customer Service at 425-783-1000.
Project PRIDE:
Project PRIDE is another assistance program that raises voluntary contributions from PUD ratepayers for low-income customers who need help with their bills. It is now administered by St. Vincent de Paul, (SVDP) which has a decades-long relationship in helping area residents. SVDP will maintain and account for all customer donations to Project PRIDE separately from its own assistance programs. All customer donations, 100 percent, will go directly to customers in need. Donations continue to be tax deductible.
Customers seeking assistance of up to $150 per year can call St. Vincent de Paul directly at 425-374-1243. In-person appoints will be held at the offices next to its thrift store at 6424 Broadway, Everett, WA 98203.
PUD customers can support this program by donating at www.snopud.com/projectpride or mailing a check payable to Project PRIDE to PO Box 2269, Everett, WA 98213.
Other Local Assistance:
Energy Assistance: Help with heating bills is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, regardless of whether residents heat with electricity, natural gas, propane, oil or wood. Certain eligibility requirements apply. Grants range from $25 to $1,000. For more information, Snohomish County residents should call 425-388-3880. Camano Island residents should call the Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center at 360-629-5257.
Snohomish County Office of Weatherization: A weatherization program provides home energy conservation assistance to eligible homeowner and renter households. For more information, call 425-388-7205. For customers on Camano Island, please call the Opportunity Council’s office at 1-800-317-5427.
Northsound 211: This service, accessed by calling the 211 telephone number, connects local residents to health and human services in the community. Need help finding rent assistance, job training, volunteer opportunities, food, shelter, or support groups? These are just some of the hundreds of social services 2-1-1 can help people access.
January 17, 2018
Everett, Everett Economy