Puget Sound Energy will make $11 million available to help customers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Crisis-Affected Customer Assistance Program, the utility announced Monday.
The offer of assistance includes customers who recently became unemployed, partially unemployed, or cannot work.
The funding for the program is carryover funds under PSE’s Low Income Program, company officials said.
With approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, PSE made revisions to its program to make the funds available to a broader group of customers.
Funds are also available in PSE’s other assistance programs, including the Warm Home Fund, PSE Home Energy Lifeline Program and Weatherization Assistance Program for income-eligible customers.
“We know this pandemic is deeply affecting many of our customers, and we have been working since its start to ensure no one is without electricity, heat or hot water during this time,” said Mary Kipp, PSE president and CEO.
“We are in unprecedented times, and it will take continued partnership and creativity to help as many people as possible,” she said.
This program will be available to PSE’s residential customers in Kitsap, Island, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties who meet the household size and income criteria.
Depending on average monthly usage, a qualified PSE customer:
• Must have a monthly household income limit up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level; and
• Can receive up to $1,000 in PSE utility-bill credits per household.
For more information on the Crisis-Affected Customer Assistance Program, visit www.pse.com/covidhelp.