Finding Energy Assistance in Oregon
Posted on January 18, 2024 by Abbey Parnall
Tags, Oregon Utilities 101, Energy, General Interest
While the Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) does not offer financial assistance, many agencies offer utility assistance in Oregon. Calling 211 is one way to get connected with those assistance programs. But did you know that you can search for agencies yourself on the 211info website? Energy bill assistance is updated daily and being able to quickly search for it yourself can be helpful.
There are also additional programs to help with energy bills like the Oregon Energy Fund and bill discount programs through each utility!
Finding Assistance Through 211
211info is a resource and referral hotline and database. When you dial 211, their staff can help you locate resources in Oregon by using the 211info database. This database is regularly updated to make sure that the information you receive is accurate. You can dial 211 at any time, as they are open 24/7 and 365 days a year.
How to Find the 211info Database
If you’d like to search the database yourself, you can easily do so on the 211info website. You can go to www.211info.org and use the search bar located on the homepage.
Next, type in your zip code and the service that you’re looking for. Some services are limited to certain locations, so make sure your zip code is accurate.
Useful Search Terms
Electric Service Payment Assistance: Assistance paying your energy bills. Make sure to check whether the service pays for PGE, Pacific Power, or both.
Gas Service Payment Assistance: Assistance paying your gas bills.
Water Service Payment Assistance: Assistance paying your water bills. Note that most agencies can only help pay your water bill if it is not tied into your rent.
Heating Fuel Payment Assistance: Assistance paying for heating fuel. This includes oil, firewood, and propane.
Rent Payment Assistance: Assistance paying rent. Note that this assistance is in high demand, so checking early and often can help with accessing that assistance.
Discounted Electric Service: Discounted electricity bills, often for low-income households.
Discounted Water Service: Assistance with applying for discounted water bills, often for low-income households. Multiple agencies throughout Oregon can help with applying to the City of Portland Water Discount Program.
Discounted Gas Service: Discounted gas bills, often for low-income households.
Discounted Internet Service: Discounted internet bills, including the Oregon Lifeline and some discount programs provided directly by service providers.
There are many programs that can help pay utility bills, as well as agencies that can assist with signing up for discount programs such as the City of Portland Water Discount Program and Oregon Lifeline.
What’s the difference between payment assistance programs and discount programs?
Discount programs can help lower all monthly bills from your utilities, often based on your monthly household income. These are typically a percentage off each bill, lowering the amount you owe each month. Some programs are only for people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or other government benefits.
Payment assistance programs are lump sums that can be put toward your rent or utility bills, usually only once within a certain time period. Some programs assist once per year, while others may assist without limits. Remember to check which programs you’ve accessed in the past and what the limits are before applying again.
Often, discount programs and payment assistance programs can be combined! Ask about what programs can be stacked in addition to what you qualify for.
Other Programs to Help with Energy Bills
Oregon Energy Fund
One of the resources for energy payment assistance is the Oregon Energy Fund. Oregon Energy Fund provides funds for energy assistance to 30+ partner agencies and nonprofits throughout Oregon. You can go to www.oregonenergyfund.org and enter your zip code in the search bar to find an agency near you that is part of this program.
CUB is grateful for all the agencies and organizations providing utility assistance throughout Oregon. While they work hard to aid those in need, CUB will continue making your utility services affordable, accessible, reliable, and clean.
Utility Bill Discount Programs
Oregon households can now find some relief through monthly bill discounts from their energy utilities. The discount programs are available for customers at or below 60% state median income (SMI). When signing up, eligible customers will provide their monthly or annual income and household size. Eligibility requirements, by income and household size, can be found on the Oregon Housing and Community Services’ website.
Depending on the utility program, customers will be able to sign up via an online application, calling into the utility, or visiting their local Community Action Agency. Eligible customers with dual-fuel homes qualify for assistance with both their electricity and natural gas providers.
- Portland General Electric: Eligible customers can apply through PGE’s online application or by calling (503) 228-6322.
- Pacific Power: Eligible customers can sign up through the utility’s online application or by calling the customer service line at 1-888-221-7070.
- NW Natural: Eligible customers can sign up by going online or calling the utility’s customer service line at (800) 422-4012.
- Avista Gas: Eligible customers can call Avista’s customer service line to sign up at (800) 227-9187. Customers are also able to sign into their energy accounts and go to the My Energy Rate page for information and sign-up instructions.
- Cascade Gas: Eligible customers can call Cascade to sign up for the program using the customer service number (888) 522-1130 or fill out the online application on Cascade’s website.
Customers can also apply by scheduling an appointment with their local Community Action Agency.
Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues
CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.
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01/18/24 | 0 Comments | Finding Energy Assistance in Oregon