Common Asked Questions
Please choose a common question and click on the link to view the answer.
Q: How often can I get assistance?
Q: How is a season defined?
Q: How do you calculate an award? Is it based on the amount I
owe to my utility company?
Q: Do you help people in subsidized housing?
Q: Can I receive assistance for my electric and propane/gas/oil?
Q: I live in George, WA. Where can I apply?
Q: How much income can I have?
Q: What documentation do I bring to the interview?
Q: Do I have to have an emergency?
Q: Do I have to own my home?
Q: How much $ did I qualify for? Or, When will I receive notice
about my award?
Q: What do I do with the letter?
Q: How often can I get assistance?
A: Once per season.
Q: How is a season defined?
A: A season usually runs from October through June depending when the funding is available and how soon it is spent out.
Q: How do you calculate an award? Is it based on the amount I owe to my utility company?
A: Your award is based on many factors--things such as your households income, the number of people in the household, the type of housing, the type of heating, whether or not you are in subsidized housing, etc. The amount that you owe the utility company is not used in the calculation.
Q: Do you help people in subsidized housing?
A: Yes, people in subsidized housing receive an energy assistance benefit just as if they were living in non-subsidized housing.
Q: Can I receive assistance for multiple energy sources, such as electric, propane, gas, and/or oil?
A: Yes, the program allows for a split of the amount awarded (51/49%) to pay on two energy sources; you must claim one as your primary heat for the application.
Q: I live in George, WA. Where can I apply?
A: Go to the Where to Apply page and use the map or drop-down list to select the county you live in. This will take you to a screen that displays the Energy Assistance contractor(s) for that area. You may also see a map showing the location of the contractor and driving directions provided by Yahoo!(tm). If you need assistance with other issues/situations, the agency's telephone number is listed, along with their website, if available.
Q: How much income can I have?
A: Go to the Eligibility Guidelines page to see the most current season's income guidelines for households and individuals.
Q: What documentation do I bring to the interview?
A: Documentation is required to verify an applicant and household member's gross income, social security number, residence, annual heat costs (if available), and crisis situation (a disconnection notice or bill). Other documentation may be required. Please contact your local service agency to help you prepare.
Q: Do I have to have an emergency?
A: No.
Q: Do I have to own my home?
A: No.
Q: How much $ did I qualify for? Or, When will I receive notice about my award?
A: In 2-3 weeks you should receive an award letter stating your awarded amount.
(Note: if it is a shutoff, we will give the information as soon as the file is processed, or call the utility for the client)
Q: What do I do with the "notice of award letter"?
A: Follow the instructions, namely, to call your utility and tell them your award amount & reference number.
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