Shutoff Moratorium Expires Sept 30.
WA State’s utility shut-off moratorium is scheduled to end Sept 30, 2021. Contact the PUD or OlyCAP now before the possibility of service disruption. OlyCAP has lots of funding to assist with past due utility bills and upcoming costs. The PUD can make payment arrangements to spread past-due amounts out over multiple months. We want everyone to be able to stay connected to public power and clean water. District 1 Commissioner Jeff Randall wrote more about the PUD’s goals to keep connect everyone struggling with past-due bills to available services in a perspective piece in a recent issue of the PT Leader. What follows is a summary of programs available to help with past-due utilities and what each program offers.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
- Covers electricity and heating costs (incl. wood, oil, etc.)
- Federal Program- lots of funding currently available
- 150% of poverty level or below (Some Flexibility- call again even if you have been denied funding before)
- Addtl. funding for Covid-19 & past-dues (up to $2500)
Go to olycap.org or call 360 385 2571 for more info.
T-RAP (Treasury Rental Assistance Program)
- Help for past due rent and past-due utilities for renters
- Federal Program- lots of funding currently available
- Covers all types of utilities, up to 12 months past-due
- 80% of area median income or below
- Evidence of Covid-19 related impact required
Go to olycap.org or call 360 385 2571 for more info.
Rainy Day Fund (administered by OlyCAP & SVdP)
- Covers past-due PUD utilities (water, sewer, power)
- Funded by PUD customer donations
- Awards of up to $500 per customer
- 150% poverty level or below
Call St. Vincent de Paul at 360 379 1325 for help or Go to olycap.org or call 360 385 2571 for more info.
Note: According to OlyCAP Executive Director Cherish Cronmiller eligibility guidelines have recently changed. She says if you were ineligible before, please reach out again. Cronmiller also notes that if a Jefferson County resident has been financially impacted by COVID, they can reach out to OlyCAP’s COVID Navigator Jim Funaro and he can also guide persons through services and programs that may be available to them. jfunaro@olycap.org or 360-385-2571 x. 6320