Energy Assistance for Skamania and Klickitat County Seniors in Partnership with WAGAP

From Washington Gorge Action Programs:

By Tammy Kaufman

Bingen, WA October 11, 2023 – Skamania and Klickitat County seniors can apply to receive assistance to pay their energy bills through local events held in an ongoing partnership with Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), local PUDs, and the Skamania and Klickitat County Senior Services. 

WAGAP staff will hold in-person events to help seniors apply for assistance with energy, water, and weatherization needs. Senior Services staff will also help seniors with PUD and water discounts at the same time.

Dates, times, and locations for energy assistance support for seniors include:

October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Klickitat Co PUD, 1313 S Columbus, Goldendale, WA 98620.

November 6 and November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Skamania Co Senior Services, 710 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648.

November 13 and November 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pioneer Building, 501 NE Washington St, White Salmon, WA 98672.

November 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lyle Lions’ Community Center, 503 State Street, Lyle, WA 98635.

November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Klickitat Co PUD, 1313 S Columbus, Goldendale, WA 98620.

Applicants must provide the following documentation:

 ID for all adults in the household

 Social Security cards for ALL household members (including children)

 Proof of the previous month's income (check stubs, award letters, bank statements, etc.)

 Copy of most recent heating bill

 Copy of most recent PUD bill

All other residents in need of assistance in Skamania and Klickitat Counties are able to request an appointment to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through WAGAP Energy Assistance phone lines.

To put your name on the waiting list for appointments, call (509) 493-2662 extension 202 or toll-free (800) 755-1192 extension 202. For residents in the Wishram/Goldendale area, call (509) 773-6834 extension 369 or toll-free (800) 755-1192 extension 369.

Callers will be prompted to leave their name, phone number, and the town they live in and should indicate whether they are seniors (age 60+). They will be added to a waiting list, with seniors receiving priority. Callers are asked to leave only one message unless there is a change in their contact information. Staff will then contact callers directly in the order messages were received to schedule a fall appointment.

This complete packet of documentation must be brought to the scheduled appointment in order to apply for energy assistance. Staff cannot hold incomplete applications and would have to reschedule an appointment if anything is missing.

This is not an emergency program. Scheduling will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. If a caller has been issued a disconnect notice from their energy provider, they must continue to work with that vendor to resolve the issue.

LIHEAP is provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce.  It covers all types of heating, including propane, electric, gas, oil, coal, and wood. To qualify for this program, a participant household’s average monthly income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

For all qualified participants, the benefit amount will be based on their household income and records of the past twelve months of heating costs. If approved, the participant would receive a one-time credit to their energy account, and the credit would continue to be applied until the entire amount has been used. Those using wood sources receive a vendor voucher, and the vendor would be reimbursed through WAGAP.  

To learn more about Energy Assistance and other WAGAP programs, visit https://www.wagap.org/programs.

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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.