About 1,000 people living in Snohomish County can get help paying heating or power bills.
Anyone who can meet the income guidelines can get assistance, said Bill Beuscher, who supervises the county’s emergency assistance and weatherization program.
“It’s unusual for us to have money at this time of year,” he said. Many people assume all the money is gone. “We want to make sure we serve anybody who needs the help.”
Some consumers are still paying for high winter heating bills and are now faced with cooling bills, he said, creating a mounting problem as another heating season approaches in the fall.
The agency received some one-time-only money from the Snohomish County PUD, which has allowed the county agency to provide help to more people, he said.
Financial help is available for all types of heat, including electric, natural gas, propane, oil or wood.
Since Oct. 1, 8,691 households have received financial help in paying their heating or energy bills, he said. The average payment was $370.
“People are having higher utility bills,” Beuscher said. “They tend to owe more than they have in past years.”
People don’t have to be behind on their bill to receive help. “They can be current and we can still help them, as long as they’re income-eligible for the program,” he said.
To qualify, a single adult can have a monthly income of no more than $1,805. The monthly income for a family of four cannot exceed $3,675.
The application deadline is Aug. 31. Applications generally must be made in person, although special arrangements can be made for people who are disabled or who have transportation problems.
The office is in the lower level of the Robert Drewel Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., in Everett.
Help with bills
To receive help monthly household income must fall within the following guidelines:
One person: $1,805
Two people: $2,428
Three people: $3,052
Four people: $3,675
For more information, call 425-388-3880 between 1 and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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