Washington County, Oregon Energy Assistance

In Oregon's Washington County, the average cost of home heating and electric utilities as of 2009 was $1,715 per year per household. To help residents pay their home heating costs in the winter, Community Action of Washington County distributes aid to eligible households from state and local aid, as well as the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.

Funding

• In Oregon's Washington County, energy assistance is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' LIHEAP budget, which equals $5.1 billion for the 2010 to 2011 winter season. Washington County residents will receive a portion of the state of Oregon's $51 million in LIHEAP funding, which is up from $50.7 million in 2009 and $25 million in 2008.

Distribution

• Community Action of Washington County, which distributes Oregon's LIHEAP funding to low income households, helped 8,308 households pay their heating bills in the 2007 to 2008 winter season. If a household is eligible, the agency will provide a block grant directly to the household's home heating provider, lessening the burden of the household's winter heating costs.

Eligibility

• In Washington County, applicants are eligible for energy assistance if the combined income of the household does not exceed 60 percent of the the state's median income level. Both homeowners and renters can apply, as long as the household is responsible for paying the home heating costs, and can document the monthly cost with a copy of the bill. For a list of the maximum monthly and annual incomes by family size, see References.

Application

• To apply for home heating assistance in Washington County, residents must contact Community Action of Washington County for an application. For agency contact information, including phone number, address and driving directions, see Resources. Once the application has been received and accepted by the agency, it takes approximately three to six weeks to pay the lump-sum utility payment to the household's energy provider.

Benefits

• If your household qualifies for utility payment help through Oregon's LIHEAP, the total block grant is based on the total income of the household, the energy costs of the home and the type of energy used to heat the home. Households with the greatest need will receive the most assistance.