Idaho Power’s Bill Discount Program Rolls Out October 15th
Posted on October 15, 2024 by Cassie Allen
Tags, Oregon Utilities 101, Energy, General Interest
Many households across Oregon are struggling to pay their utility bills. Whether it’s electricity, water, or gas, keeping up with your utility bills can put significant financial strain on your family. Thankfully, a new program in Eastern Oregon is rolling out to provide energy customers with some relief.
Beginning October 15th, customers in Eastern Oregon can now enroll in Idaho Power’s Bill Discount program. This program provides a monthly bill discount to qualified residential customers.
Who Qualifies for the Bill Discount Program
- Households with incomes at or below 60 percent of State Median Income (SMI)
- AND households whose energy burden is calculated to be 6% or greater for electric-heated homes, or 3% or greater for non-electric-heated homes. (Energy burden is the percentage of income a household spends on their energy bills).
Customers do not need a social security number to apply or qualify. Customers may also self-certify their income, meaning you do not need to provide income documentation when applying. However, the Company may contact you in the future to confirm your income information. You can determine if your income and household size are at or below 60% SMI here.
You can also see if your income qualifies by calling Idaho Power or your local Community In Action Agency. You can read the program’s helpful FAQs here for more program information!
Discount Rate
Idaho Power customers could receive a monthly discount of 10, 25, or 70% on their monthly bills. Discounts depend on your household income, household size, and percentage of income going toward energy bills, which is called a household’s energy burden. Customers will receive a monthly bill discount at one of the three following tiers:
Tier 1: Household income at or below 20% SMI receive a 70% bill discount
Example of Who Qualifies: A family of four earning below $26,276 per year will receive a 70% bill discount
Tier 2: Household income 20-40% SMI receive a 25% bill discount
Example of Who Qualifies: A family of four earning between $26,276 to $52,551 per year will receive a 25% bill discount.
Tier 3: Household income 40-60% SMI receive a 10% bill discount
Example of Who Qualifies: A family of four earning between $52,551 to $78,827 per year will receive a 10% bill discount
The discount only applies to new bills after enrollment. This means that depending on where you are in the billing cycle when you enroll, the discount may not be reflected on the next bill you receive but will be reflected on the following bills.
Idaho Power customers who have received LIHEAP (federal government energy assistance) in the year before October 15, 2024, will be contacted to enroll in Idaho Power’s Bill Discount Program. Customers who enroll in LIHEAP in the future will also be assisted to see if they qualify for the new program. Being enrolled in LIHEAP or Oregon’s Energy Assistance Program does not prevent you from qualifying for Idaho Power’s Bill Discount Program.
Check Your Eligibility
There are three ways to apply for the program. You can complete an online enrollment form with your gross annual household income, the number of people in your home, and your primary heating type (gas, electric, wood, propane, etc.).
The application takes only minutes to complete, and proof of income is not required to apply. Idaho Power also plans to have an online application available in Spanish by the end of 2024.
You can also call Idaho Power’s Customer Care Team at 1-800-488-6151, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Customers can also contact their local Community In Action agencies and someone can assist them in applying.
Receive Assistance
Once enrolled, customers can expect to remain on the program for four years, unless they have any updates to income or household size that they update with Idaho Power. After four years from enrollment, or from a customer update to household size and income with the utility, Idaho Power will begin a re-enrollment process, requesting customers to go through the enrollment process again.
Customers who have received energy assistance should look for emails and direct mail about the program, sign-up details, and future re-enrollment requests.
Energy Burden Qualifications
Qualifications are based on a household’s size and income and include a household’s energy burden calculation. The U.S. Department of Energy defines energy burden as the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs.
Customers with electric heat qualify when 6% or more of their household income goes to Idaho Power. For example, if a family earns $1,666 per month and spends $100 per month on electricity, that would be a 6% energy burden.
Customers with other heating (gas, wood, propane, etc.) qualify when 3% of their household income goes to Idaho Power. For example, if a family earns $3,333 per month and spends $100 per month on electricity, that would be a 3% energy burden.
CUB Applauds Expansion of Bill Discount Programs
CUB commends Idaho Power on its innovation and engagement throughout the development of its bill discount program. We expect Idaho Power’s new program will help more financially burdened Oregonians receive much-needed bill assistance. This is a step in the right direction, but more must be done to help struggling customers.
As this program rolls out, CUB will work closely with other advocates to secure a strong program that works for the people who need it most. This will include ensuring that signing up and staying in the program is easy and accessible.
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10/17/24 | 0 Comments | Idaho Power’s Bill Discount Program Rolls Out October 15th