Energy Assistance Phone Lines for Skamania and Klickitat County Residents Open
WAGAP sets up a waitlist beginning November 16 at 8:00 a.m.
Residents of Skamania and Klickitat Counties are able to request an appointment to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning November 16 at 8:00 a.m through Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Energy Assistance phone lines.
Low income residents are asked to call 509-493-2662 ext. 202 or 800-755-1192 ext. 202 where they will be prompted to leave a message including their name, phone number they can be reached at, and the community they reside in. Their name will be added to the waitlist. Appointments will be scheduled beginning in December. 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 I will get back to you as soon as I am able.” With the flood of calls that are received over the phone line, she added that it is important for everyone calling in to be patient as they wait for her return call to schedule their appointment.
Application processes will primarily be handled over the phone this year, rather than in person. “In past years I have met in person with applicants to complete their paperwork, but with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to change the process and reduce interactions to keep our residents safe from exposure to the virus,” said Pearo. She will mail them a self-addressed stamped envelope to return their signed application and supporting documents.
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 a combination of their household income and their 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.