Rate Assistance Can Cut the Cost of Staying Warm this Winter

Cold winter weather drives heating costs up throughout the Pacific Northwest, but seniors and low-income customers of Seattle City Light can cut their electricity bills with help from their community-owned utility.

Any person or family with a household income that is no more than 70 percent of the state median income is eligible for City Light’s rate assistance program. Participants receive a 60 percent discount on electricity rates.

“People who are struggling financially shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and staying warm,” City Light Customer Care Director Kelly Enright said. “Our rate assistance program won’t eliminate electricity bills, but will make them easier to manage.”

Currently, the limit for participation for a couple is a monthly income of $3,277. For a single person, the limit is $2,506 per month. Income guidelines are updated Jan. 1.

The state’s Office of Financial Management posts median income information at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/economy/hhinc/ . You can calculate the 2013 participation limit after the new median income is posted by multiplying it by .7.

In a typical Seattle home, electric heating uses about 2,300 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. That adds up to about $160 just to keep the house warm during the winter.

Overall, the average Seattle home -- including all types of heating -- uses about 8,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That would cost about $670. If that customer qualified for low-income rate assistance, the cost would drop to $258, a savings of $412 per year.

Even so, many people who qualify have not taken advantage of the savings. About 14,000 people are currently enrolled in the program. City Human Services officials say enrollments are increasing and thousands more people could be eligible for assistance.

“If you think you might qualify, please give us a call,” Enright said. “City Light wants to help its customers access the discounts they are entitled to receive so they can stay comfortable this winter without worrying about their electricity bill getting too big to pay.”

To apply, you’ll need to provide income information for all members of the household and information about your home. You can get an application online at www.seattle.gov/UDP or by calling (206) 684-3417.

That single application also could qualify you for assistance with your water, sewer and garbage bills. Weatherization help could be available from the Office of Housing’s HomeWise program as well. Call (206) 684-0244 for details.

All Seattle City Light customers can save money by reducing their energy consumption. The utility offers instant discounts through participating retailers on energy efficient light bulbs, lighting fixtures and WaterSense rated showerheads. Rebates ranging from $30 to $1,200 are available for high efficiency appliances. See how you can save at http://seattle.gov/light/conserve.

This article appeared in the November 2012 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50.

This article is sponsored by Seattle City Light