People across the country, including Washington residents, have benefited from federal energy bill and weatherization support since the 1980s. Now, a new Washington State Department of Commerce program will take the best parts of the federal program and shape them to Washington specific needs.
According to a news release, the new State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP) will use $35 million in Climate Commitment Act funding to support more people in Washington in paying their utility bills and switching to low- and no-carbon heating and cooling options. It’s open to people making up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or about $70,000 in Seattle and $55,000 in Spokane for an individual. It expands eligibility to more than 1.2 million people across Washington, an increase from 500,000 with the federal Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The wider net reflects the increased cost of living in Washington. The federal program’s benefit maxes out at 150% of the federal poverty level, which is about $23,000 for an individual no matter where they live in Washington.
More information about the new program, including who to contact for help, is available online.
