Our appointment phone line and online scheduler are open for both LIHEAP & PSE HELP appointments now.
Please note that appointments are limited and get filled very quickly. If you are a PSE customer, you can also apply for PSE HELP online directly via pse.com
If you have a Shut off or Disconnect notice or less than 10-day supply of oil, wood or propane please call your nearest Hopelink center to schedule an emergency appointment.
We have expended our funding for AC units for this program year
Energy Program Overview
Hopelink helps households reduce their home heating costs or avoid disconnection with our Energy Program. The goal of Hopelink’s energy program is to keep members of our community safe and warm, and to contribute to a stable home environment. We believe a household should never have to choose between heat and electricity or other necessities, such as food, health care, or shelter. Energy assistance funds enable our community members to devote their resources to other crucial expenses.
What You Need to Know
Assistance can range from $200 to $1,000 per household, and vary from year to year based on:
- Cost to heat a home over the previous 12 months
- Household’s average monthly income
- Number of people in the household
You are eligible to receive assistance for both LIHEAP and PSE HELP once per program year (October – September
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance)
Funding is available for eligible clients (by income and location) LIHEAP primarily assists households by making an energy assistance grant payment directly to the energy provider on behalf of the eligible household. Eligible households may receive assistance towards other deliverable fuel if that is their main heat source through LIHEAP
PSE HELP (Puget Sound Energy – Home Energy Lifeline Program)
The PSE HELP Grant is available to Puget Sound Energy Customers with incomes at or below 80% area median income. PSE Customers may qualify for both LIHEAP and PSE HELP. Enrollment in PSE HELP also enrolls you in the PSE Bill Discount Program, adding a 5% to 45% ongoing monthly discount on your energy billing rate for lower bills overall. Clients can apply without additional documentation or proof of income, through Hopelink or directly via pse.com.
People who have been disconnected or have less than a 10-day supply of oil, wood or propane, should call their nearest center to schedule an emergency appointment.
In addition, those who have a disconnection notice should contact their energy provider immediately:
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE): 1.888.225.5773
- Seattle City Light (SCL): 206.684.3000
Eligibility
You must live within one of the following zip codes in order to qualify for Energy Assistance through Hopelink. If you live within the following zip codes, please proceed to the “Income Eligibility” chart below.
(*)King County Only
(**)North of NE 145 St.
For the October 2023 – September 2024 Energy Season:
If your household income qualifies for Energy Assistance, please proceed to the “Ways to Apply” drop-down below.
You can schedule an appointment via our online scheduler. Emergency Appointments for LIHEAP assistance (requires shut off or disconnect notice, or less than a 10 day supply of oil, wood, or propane) can be made by calling your nearest Hopelink center.
PSE customers can also apply for PSE Help and Bill Discount program directly via pse.com
Due to funding capacity, we can not accept drop off packets this year.
Our goal is to get funds to you as quickly as possible. Having all your documents collected at the time of your phone appointment may help us process your application faster. If you are not sure what documents you need or do not have documentation of your income, your specialist will help you figure out what paperwork you need during the appointment. They can also help you find the easiest way to send in your documents.
PSE HELP applications will be processed without any required documentation such as proof of income or social security number, while LIHEAP assistance will require all listed documentation.
Please see this checklist of needed paperwork to have ready:
An application may take up to 6 weeks to complete. Continue paying bills and/or make payment arrangements to prevent disconnection. Once complete, Hopelink will send a letter informing applicants whether they qualify.