Help paying your electric bill in Oregon
Oregon got $40.5 million in the HHS table, about $24 for each of its 1,701,548 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 503-986-2000. Heating help reached 55,478 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Oregon
- Oregon LIHEAP public line503-986-2000
- State program siteoregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/energy-weatherization-programs-oregon.
- Public Utility Commission of Oregon800-522-2404 · 503-378-6600 · oregon.gov/puc (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Oregon
Oregon: cold weather by temperature; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Cold temperature | No disconnects when forecast is 32°F or below |
| Extreme weather | Yes Criteria: No disconnects during wildfire evacuations or on days where the air quality index is 100 or greater |
| Health or age needs | Disconnection may be delayed by up to 6 months with a doctor’s note certifying a life threatening situation and may be renewed at the end of 6 months. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites PUC Utility Regulations; Revised Rules - Utility Disconnections.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: OAR 860-021-0407 (severe weather), 0410 (medical), 0405 (notice), 0415 (payment), 0320, 0305. Oregon bars residential nonpayment shutoffs on days with a forecast high under 32F (unless the utility has a Commission-approved winter program) and on days with a local heat advisory (electric). It requires 15 days' written notice, a written time-payment plan option, and a medical certificate bar valid six or twelve months. No Friday, weekend or pre-holiday shutoffs. Quote: “on any day a high temperature of less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit is forecast by the applicable weather reporting service”. Source: text of the rule (other mirror (oregon.public.law, rule text accessed May 26, 2025 per page); 0305 also read on Cornell LII).
| Point | Oregon: OAR 860-021-0407 (severe weather), 0410 (medical), 0405 (notice), 0415 (payment), 0320, 0305 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 0407(1): moratorium on residential nonpayment disconnection any day a high temperature of less than 32F is forecast by the applicable weather reporting service; stays in effect at least through the start of next business day; forecast must be obtained by 8 a.m.; the 32F threshold does not apply if the utility offers a Commission-approved winter protection program (0407(8)). 0405(9)(b)(B): remote-disconnect phone-call procedure may not first be implemented in Nov 1-Apr 30. |
| Heat | 0407(2): electric utility must put a moratorium on residential nonpayment disconnection any day a local Heat Advisory is issued. |
| Who is protected | 0410: no disconnection if a qualified medical professional (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) certifies disconnection would significantly endanger household member's health; oral certification must be confirmed in writing within 14 days; valid up to six months (12 months for chronic illness); customer still must enter a written time-payment agreement within 20 days. 0320: no disconnection for nonpayment on weekend, holiday, Friday or day before a holiday unless agreed with Commission Consumer Services. 0405(10): five-day delay if customer appears not to understand consequences. |
| Notice | 0405(3),(5): at least 15 days' written notice by personal service or first-class mail; not before the bill due date; (6),(8): five-business-day notice in certain other cases; (9): good-faith personal contact on the day or, for remote disconnect, three business days before. Notice must give reason, earliest date, amount, Commission complaint process and toll-free number, payment/medical information. 0305(2): nonpayment disconnections best efforts 8 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Payment plan | 0415: no disconnection for nonpayment if customer enters a written time-payment plan; utility must offer a levelized plan (average annual bill/12 down payment and 11 payments) or equal-pay arrearage plan (1/12 of arrears). |
| Who the rule covers | Rules apply to 'an energy utility' (electric and gas); 0407(2) heat rule to electric utilities. Co-ops/munis exclusion not stated in the text read. |
| Complaints | Notice must explain the Commission complaint process and toll-free number (number itself not read). |
OAR 860-021-0306 does not exist (not in Division 21 table of contents); public.law mirror dated May 2025, so later amendments not checked; winter protection programs in utility tariffs not read; OAR 860-021-0328 and 0326 not read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Oregon: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Oregon | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $40,482,105 = $36,433,895 + $0 IIJA + $4,048,210 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $250 minimum, $750 maximum Cooling: $250 minimum, $750 maximum Crisis: $1,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 55,478 Cooling: 11,049 Crisis: 3,632 Weatherization: 691 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVOregon in numbers
- Oregon ranks 44th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($24), 29th on households below the poverty line (11.7%) and 46th on low-income energy burden (6.2%).
- Per household below the poverty line (199,754 of them) the FY26 funds come to $203, rank 34th of 51: 13% of a typical year's electricity ($1,611). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 62,331 households got help in FY2022 against 444,443 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 14% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $405, 25% of that year.
- Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $15 (Nevada) to $33 (Idaho); low-income burden from 5.0% (Washington) to 8.8% (Nevada). Oregon: $24 and 6.2%.
Where Oregon's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Gilliam County 15.3% (305 households); Grant County 11.9% (1,141 households); Lake County 10.0% (1,353 households); Harney County 9.7% (1,426 households).
- Most low-income households: Multnomah County 81,713 (6.4%); Lane County 50,135 (5.8%); Washington County 40,528 (5.9%).
34 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Oregon?
Oregon sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $80,426.
How heavy is the energy bill in Oregon?
6.2% of income in low-income households, 1.8% overall. Ranking, Oregon prices.
| Group | Count | Oregon detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 444,443 households | 6.2% of income; $1,385 a year on $22,518 | rank 46 of 51 |
| All households | 1,682,181 households | 1.8%; $1,729 on $98,163 | rank 45 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 199,754 households | 11.7% of 1,701,548 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 29 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 15.37 ¢/kWh | bill $134 a month at 873 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Oregon
- Utility discounts Available to Ashland residents whos total income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. They may receive a 20% to 30% discount on City utilities (water, wastewater, and electric). Senior and Disabled ALIEAP Six-month...
- Columbia River PUD The Special Waiver Program Waives the $7 monthly customer charge for families who meet the low-income requirements from the State of Oregon. 503-397-0590
- Emerald PUD ERAP Provides $200, spread over four months with kick-off in March. While the priority is low-income seniors and disabled customers, at times there are funds available for other hardship situations. Funds are limited....
- Pacific Power Oregon Energy Assistance Program OEAP Funded by a state-mandated electric meter charge. This is a year-round assistance program funded by a state-mandated electric meter charge. All customers pay a monthly meter charge to support...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Avista Utilities, Blachly-Lane County Co-op, Canby Utility Board, Cascade Natural Gas, Central Electric Co-op, Central Lincoln PUD and 28 more.
Oregon on the map
Next to Oregon
California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington. Most FY26 funds per household: Idaho, $33. Oregon: $24. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Oregon
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Public Utility Commission of Oregon sets rules).
- Call 503-986-2000 or 211.
- Ask about temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Public Utility Commission of Oregon, 800-522-2404.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Can Oregon utilities cut power in winter or summer?
temperature for cold; none listed for heat. No disconnects when forecast is 32°F or below
How big is the energy burden in Oregon?
6.2% of income for low-income households, 1.8% for all; $1,385 a year for the first group.
How many Oregon households got energy help?
62,331 in FY2022, 55,478 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $405.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Oregon bill?
$203 per poor household, 13% of $1,611.
How much LIHEAP money does Oregon get?
$40.5 million in FY2026, $24 per household, rank 44 of 51.
What income limit does Oregon use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $80,426; FY2022 heating standard 213% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Oregon?
Call 503-986-2000. Site: www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/energy-weatherization-programs-oregon.aspx