Avista Utilities energy bill assistance programs.
Resources are available to help Avista Utilities pay their utility bills. Additional programs can provide free energy saving improvements to individual’s homes, outreach services, and other financial support. Get details below (and application phone number) on many of the options available to customers in their service territory, including Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Everything from utility, heating, or cooling bill help is offered as well as referrals.
Avista Utilities Project Share is a donation program that is paid for by contributions from customers, local businesses, members of the community and other company-funded programs. The resource provides one-time emergency energy bill assistance or cash grants to qualified families in the region.
Administration of the Project Share program is done by local Community Action Agencies, and all funds are available for those who qualify. Utility bill assistance is provided without regard to the source of heat, so it can pay for propane, gas, or electricity. There is also aid given without regards to the utility company providing services to the customer.
Donations can be made in a variety of ways, and they are tax deductible. You can simply add a cash donation to your next monthly payment, donate online using the Avista website, or send a separate check to the Project Share program. The process to contribute is straight-forward.
All donated funds are forwarded to local community action agencies across the region, which then work directly with each family. Grants and cash assistance will be made available to anyone who meets income and other criteria, without regard to their heating source. Contact your local community action agency for more information or to apply.
Low-income rate assistance program (LIRAP) is another program that is funded by Avista customers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. It helps with paying off a portion of a past due energy bill to bring a customer current. Call your local community action agency to apply. This is a grant program, and money will be applied towards outstanding bills.
Payment arrangements can be entered into on a case by case basis. If a situation or emergency comes up that interferes with your ability to pay your monthly utility bill by the regular due date, Avista Utilities may be able to work something out, such as an extension or fee waiver. Dial 1-800-227-9187 for details.
CARES is a referral and information program. Representatives who are part of Avista Utilities CARES work hard and are committed to aiding customers with special needs. Representatives will assist the disabled, elderly, the low income and those customers who find themselves in difficulty due to employment, health, family or other medical problems or emergencies.
CARES representatives offer support in a variety of ways, and they will do everything they can to create solutions beneficial to both the customer and to Avista Utilities. Through this relationship, which will include close interaction, representatives help anticipate customers’ future needs. Based on the assessment that was done, the process will ensure that an extensive array of solutions and programs are offered. The program offers the resources below.
- Explore energy savings from the federal government low income weatherization program.
- A representative will help customers better understand their monthly utility bills, how they can be better paid, and work with them to make special payment arrangements.
- Find out if you qualify for energy assistance grants for paying your Avista Utilities bills.
- Receive minor budgeting advice on other bills, including a high level overview of your income and expenses.
- CARES representatives can help customers with special problems find financial assistance from other non-profit agencies within the greater Washington community.
- Applications are given to state and federal aid, which includes LIHEAP.
- Call 1-800-227-9187 to speak to a representative.
Senior Outreach is available for elderly and people who live on a fixed income, and sometimes these individuals can be hit hard due to their often limited income. So Avista created a resource known as Senior Energy Outreach. The program can help senior citizens who are facing the unexpected hardship of higher energy bills and costs.
The services and program offered are intended to reach elderly and low income customers who may be reluctant to ask for any type of financial assistance. A focus is on those people in Oregon and other states who are paying energy bills rather than buying their needed medications or food. The service is often for those families who are not typically eligible for Energy Assistance Grants or Project Share.
The Senior Energy Outreach program is available for qualified lower income customers in all states, including Washington, who are age 60 or older, and the application process is run through a simplified phone certification process. While funding may vary, qualified Avista Utilities customers can get up to a $300 cash grant. Call the CARES department at (888) 700-2757 for more information or to apply. Or dial your local community action agency.
Energy conservation and savings programs are also available from Senior Energy Conservation Workshops, which are held across the northwest. Sessions are normally held at senior nutrition meal sites, non-profit organizations, agency on aging offices, and local senior centers. Each attendee of a workshop will receive an Every Little Bit energy conservation kit that will contain various home weatherizing supplies, CFL light bulbs, and energy savings ideas they can use in their home. The free workshops are available for seniors, and they will focus on energy savings and how to stay comfortable and safe with home energy use.
Phone number for assistance from Avista
A wide range of programs are offered. Customer service at (800) 227-9187 can work with customers to try to help them keep their lights and power on or reconnect it.
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