Bill assistance is for eligible households for their home heating and energy bills.

Households must be income eligible to receive assistance.

Depending on the time of year, they may help with the electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, and wood bills.

Scheduling:

General Scheduling is Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm., they remain open until all appointment slots are filled.

Energy Assistance Appointments are being conducted by phone:

Whatcom County - contact Bellingham office (360-255-2192)

Island County - contact Oak Harbor office (360-679-6577 / 800-317-5427

San Juan County residents can call their local family & community resource centers

Other Services:
Weatherization, Home Repair, Weatherization + Health

Area served:
Whatcom, Island, San Juan Counties

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

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