Energy Assistance

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low income renters and homeowners with their winter heating bills and furnace-repair costs and the Puget Sound Energy HELP Program (PSE HELP) assists low income renters and homeowners with their PSE bills.

The LIHEAP Program typically runs from November through May, or as funds remain available. PSE HELP operates from October through September (year-round), or as funds remain available.

To apply for assistance, please call our Energy Assistance line: toll-free 800.348.7144 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required, and are located at all Hopelink food bank sites, as well as the Issaquah Senior Center and the Mt. SI Senior Center (North Bend). Calling this toll-free number is the only way to make an appointment.

You must be in a zip code served by Hopelink to receive assistance.

2009-2010 LIHEAP Income Eligibility Guidelines

Household Size
(# of people)		 Monthly Income* Gross Monthly Income Household Size
(# of people)		 Monthly Income* Gross Monthly Income
1 $1,128 $1,410 13 $5,803 $7,254
2 $1,518 $1,898 14 $6,193 $7,741
3 $1,907 $2,384 15 $6,582 $8,228
4 $2,297 $2,871 16 $6,972 $8,715
5 $2,686 $3,358 17 $7,361 $9,201
6 $3,076 $3,845 18 $7,751 $9,689
7 $3,466 $4,333 19 $8,141 $10,176
8 $3,855 $4,819 20 $8,530 $10,663
9 $4,245 $5,306 21 $8,920 $11,150
10 $4,634 $5,793 22 $9,309 $11,636
11 $5,024 $6,280 23 $9,699 $12,124
12 $5,414 $6,768 24 $10,089 $12,611

*This column is net income (gross monthly income X .8).

2009-2010 PSE HELP Income Eligibility Guidelines


House-hold size
(# of people) 		Monthly Income* Gross Monthly Income House-hold Size
(# of people) 		Monthly Income* Gross Monthly Income
1 $1,354 $1,693 13 $6,042 $7,553
2 $1,822 $2,278 14 $6,321 $7,901
3 $2,289 $2,861 15 $6,605 $8,256
4 $2,757 $3,446 16 $6,972 $8,715
5 $3,224 $4,030 17 $7,362 $9,203
6 $3,692 $4,615 18 $7,752 $9,690
7 $4,159 $5,199 19 $8,141 $10,176
8 $4,627 $5,784 20 $8,531 $10,664
9 $4,917 $6,146 21 $8,920 $11,150
10 $5,200 $6,500 22 $9,310 $11,638
11 $5,480 $6,850 23 $9,699 $12,124
12 $5,763 $7,204 24 $10,089 $12,611

*This column is net income (gross monthly income X .8).

Documentation Requirements are as follows:
(You must bring all of the following documents to your appointment)
  1. All gross income received for all household members during the previous 3 calendar months not including the month of your appointment. Income documents include:
    • All paystubs
    • Award letters
    • Proof of TANF, GAU, SSI or Social Security
    • Unemployment printouts or stubs
    • Bank statements
    • Business ledgers (if self-employed)
    • Child support documents or a signed statement from the payor
  2. Social security card* or legal document with the social security number for each person in the household. Legal documents that contain social security numbers may be:
    • Tax documents
    • Paystubs
    • Unemployment stubs
    • For children under 18, we will accept birth certificates, ID cards, medical coupons or medical cards.
    *Unless client has NEVER been issued a Social Security number.
  3. Picture ID with the birthdate of the person who will be signing the application.
  4. A second proof of address, which can include:
    • Phone bill
    • Subsidized housing calculation worksheet
    • Lease agreement or rent receipt
    • Mortgage or tax statement if you are a homeowner
  5. Your current heating bill and your electric bill, if they are not the same.


Application Policies:
  • All applicants must call the Energy Assistance Line at 800.348.7144 to schedule an appointment.
  • We do not take walk-in appointments.
  • We do not make appointments via e-mail or any other electronic means.