Energy Assistance Programs support low-income residents
Senior Centers hold events in October & November in Skamania and Klickitat Counties
Stevenson, WA (September 29, 2022) – Skamania and Klickitat County seniors can apply to receive assistance to pay their energy bills through local events held in an ongoing partnership with Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) and the Skamania and Klickitat County Senior Services.
WAGAP staff will hold in-person visits to local senior meal sites to help seniors apply for assistance with energy, water, and weatherization needs. Senior Services staff will also help seniors with PUD and water discounts at the same time.
Dates, times, and locations for energy assistance support for seniors include:
OCT 18 from 10 AM-1 PM at Lyle Lions’ Club
(5th Street, Lyle, WA 98635)OCT 19 from 10 AM-1 PM at Pioneer Building
(501 NE Washington St, White Salmon, WA 98672)OCT 20 from 10 AM-1 PM at Klickitat Co PUD
(1313 S Columbus, Goldendale, WA 98620)NOV 07 from 9 AM-12 PM at Skamania Co Senior Services
(710 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648)NOV 09 from 9 AM-12 PM at Skamania Co Senior Services
(710 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648)NOV 16 from 10 AM-1 PM at Pioneer Building,
(501 NE Washington St, White Salmon, WA 98672)NOV 17 from 10 AM-1 PM at Klickitat Co PUD
(1313 S Columbus, Goldendale, WA 98620)
Applicants must provide the following documentation:
ID For all adults in the household
Social Security cards for ALL household members (including children)
Proof of current monthly income (check stubs, award letters, bank statements, etc.)
Copy of most recent heating bill
Copy of most recent PUD bill
All other residents in need of assistance in Skamania and Klickitat Counties are able to request an appointment to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning October 3 at 8:00 a.m. through WAGAP’s Energy Assistance phone lines.
Low-income residents are asked to call 509-493-2662 ext. 202 or 800-755-1192 ext. 202. For Wishram and Goldendale residents, please dial extension 369.
Callers will be prompted to leave a message including their name, the phone number they can be reached at, and the community where they reside. The message should also indicate if they are a senior aged 60 or older. Names will be added to a waitlist for a return call to schedule an appointment beginning in October.
In an effort to keep the process streamlined, WAGAP requests that each household leave only one message unless there is a change in their contact information.
“Calls are returned in the order received,” said Jan Pearo, Energy Assistance Director for WAGAP, who handles the LIHEAP applications. “It’s important to speak clearly, leave accurate contact information, and know that we will get back to you as soon as we are able.”
The LIHEAP program is provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce. It covers all types of heating, including propane, electric, gas, oil, coal, and wood. To qualify for this program, participants must earn less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
For all qualified participants, the benefit amount will be based on their household income and records of the past twelve months of heating costs. If approved, the participant would receive a one-time credit to their energy account, and the credit would continue to be applied until the entire amount has been used. Those using wood sources receive a vendor voucher, and the vendor would be reimbursed through WAGAP.
To learn more about Energy Assistance and other WAGAP programs, visit https://www.wagap.org/programs.
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities address basic human needs, including food security and energy assistance in Klickitat and Skamania Counties. For more than 50 years, the organization has offered support services to help people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org or, for additional information, contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or email info@wagap.org.