Help paying your electric bill in Washington
Washington got $61.5 million in the HHS table, about $20 for each of its 3,020,558 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; program site Low-Income. Heating help reached 87,577 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Washington
- Washington LIHEAP public lineno data
- State program siteLow-Income
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission360-664-1160 · utc.wa.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Washington
Washington: cold weather by dates; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Washington |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 15 - March 15 Protection for customers who qualify or apply for energy assistance and enter payment plan |
| Hot temperature | No disconnections on days for which the national weather service has issued a heat-related alert for the area in which the customer resides. |
| Health or age needs | Medical emergency can delay disconnection for up to 60 days with one renewal |
| Also listed | Each utility must set its own temperature criteria for cold weather disconnect moratoriums |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites WAC Disconnection of Service; RCW 54.16.285 - Limitations on termination of utility service for residential heating and of electric or water utility service during heat-related alerts..
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: WAC 480-100-143 (winter) and WAC 480-100-128 (disconnection). Washington's UTC rules bar disconnection of residential space-heating service from November 15 to March 15 for customers who qualify and keep a payment plan at up to seven percent of income, with arrears due by October 15. Disconnection also needs two notices (first at least eight business days ahead) and a five-business-day medical grace period. Quote: “an electric utility may not discontinue residential space heating service if the customer does all of the following”. Source: text of the rule (state official).
| Point | Washington: WAC 480-100-143 (winter) and WAC 480-100-128 (disconnection) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | WAC 480-100-143: between November 15 and March 15 an electric utility may not discontinue residential space heating service if the customer notifies of inability to pay, self-certifies household income through a state-funded grantee, applies for energy assistance and weatherization, and agrees to pay by the next October 15 and pay monthly at no more than seven percent of monthly income plus one-twelfth of billings. Utility may disconnect if arrangements are not kept (with required notice contents). 128(11): utility tariff must set conditions for stopping disconnection in inclement weather. |
| Heat | no hot-weather ban found in the text read, except 128(11) tariff provision on inclement weather events |
| Who is protected | 128(8): medical condition or emergency: postpone or reinstate for a five-business-day grace period on verbal or written notice; utility may require written certification from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or PA within five business days; valid up to 60 days unless renewed; customer may be required to pay 10% of balance and agree to pay the rest within 120 days. 128(4)(j) extra steps for medical facilities; 128(4)(k) third party notice; remote disconnection limited (8 a.m.-noon) and restricted for medical certificate and recent low-income-assistance customers. |
| Notice | 128(4): two separate notices: first in writing (mail or door) at least eight business days before disconnection (11 days if mailed from outside WA/OR/ID); second at least two business days before by door delivery, mailed 3 business days before, or two phone attempts; includes energy assistance info, and between Nov 15 and Mar 15 the winter payment plan. No disconnection on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays or days service cannot be restored same or next day (g). |
| Payment plan | WAC 480-100-143 plan as above (seven percent of income); WAC 480-100-138 payment arrangements referenced but not read. |
| Who the rule covers | Electric utilities regulated by the UTC (chapter 480-100); the text says 'an electric utility'; co-ops/munis not addressed. |
| Complaints | Not stated in the text read (UTC). |
WAC 480-100-138 (payment arrangements), 480-100-133 and utility tariffs (inclement weather) were not read; 143 had no filings since 2003 per page.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Washington: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Washington | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $61,537,386 = $54,616,601 + $830,437 IIJA + $6,090,348 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% of poverty guideline (how limits work: see guide) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $250 minimum, $1,250 maximum Crisis: $13,000 maximum Weatherization: $20,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 87,577 Crisis: 19,306 Weatherization: 762 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVWashington in numbers
- Washington ranks 45th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($20), 45th on households below the poverty line (9.7%) and 51st on low-income energy burden (5.0%).
- Per household below the poverty line (294,072 of them) the FY26 funds come to $209, rank 33rd of 51: 14% of a typical year's electricity ($1,502). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 91,758 households got help in FY2022 against 745,034 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 12% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $453, 30% of that year.
- Counted FY2024: heating, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $24 (Oregon) to $33 (Idaho); low-income burden from 6.2% (Oregon) to 8.0% (Idaho). Washington: $20 and 5.0%.
Where Washington's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Skamania County 10.5% (1,471 households); San Juan County 10.1% (2,486 households); Ferry County 9.8% (1,467 households); Okanogan County 8.6% (7,177 households).
- Most low-income households: King County 171,131 (4.8%); Pierce County 78,676 (4.7%); Spokane County 69,897 (4.8%).
39 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Washington?
Median household income in Washington is $94,952, 288% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
How heavy is the energy bill in Washington?
5.0% of income in low-income households, 1.4% overall. Ranking, Washington prices.
| Group | Count | Washington detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 745,034 households | 5.0% of income; $1,287 a year on $25,944 | rank 51 of 51 |
| All households | 2,979,272 households | 1.4%; $1,703 on $117,538 | rank 50 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 294,072 households | 9.7% of 3,020,558 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 45 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 13.11 ¢/kWh | bill $125 a month at 955 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Washington
- All of the utilities and Public Utility Districts listed below provide rate discounts for low-income, seniors or disabled customers. Discounts range from 5% to 40% of a customer's utility bill.
- Tacoma Public Utilities Discount Rate Special discount rates for City of Tacoma utilities are available to qualified, low-income customers who are, 62 years or older or are receiving disability income: 35% discount on power, water, solid waste, surface...
- Seattle City Light Discounted Rates Low-Income, Seniors and Disabled Qualifying customers can save 50% on electric, water, sewer and garbage bills. Senior citizens or a person with disabilities with income at or below 70% of the state median level...
- AVISTA Utilities Low Income Rate Assistance Program (LIRAP) The Low-Income Rate Assistance Program is for Avista customers to ease the energy burden on limited income customers with disabilities and seniors (age 60+). Benefits for limited income...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Avista Utilities, Benton County PUD, Cascade Natural Gas, Chelan County PUD, City of Port Angeles, City of Richland and 24 more.
Washington on the map
Next to Washington
Idaho, Oregon. Most FY26 funds per household: Idaho, $33. Washington: $20. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Washington
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission sets rules).
- Call the state LIHEAP office or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, 360-664-1160.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Washington bill?
$209 per poor household, 14% of $1,502.
How much LIHEAP money does Washington get?
$61.5 million in FY2026, $20 per household, rank 45 of 51.
What income limit does Washington use for LIHEAP?
$40,980 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $94,952; FY2022 heating standard 150% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Washington?
Site: Low-Income
Can Washington utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; temperature for heat. November 15 - March 15 Protection for customers who qualify or apply for energy assistance and enter payment plan
How big is the energy burden in Washington?
5.0% of income for low-income households, 1.4% for all; $1,287 a year for the first group.
How many Washington households got energy help?
91,758 in FY2022, 87,577 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $453.