Skip to main content

Energy assistance programs for King County residents

Your family's monthly income may qualify you for utility assistance services.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low income households, to meet their immediate home energy needs.

LIHEAP assistance is now available year-round! You may now be eligible to receive assistance once every 12 months

  • City of Seattle customers can call 800-756-5437 (Public Health — Seattle & King County CHAP Line) for assistance. Applications are processed by the Byrd Barr Place.
  • If you live outside of the City of Seattle, please call the service provider based upon where you live:
    • South King County, call the Multi-Service Center at 253-517-2263.
    • North King County (North of NE 145th St) & East King County call Hopelink at 425-658-2592.

Who is eligible?

Your family's monthly income may qualify you for low-cost energy and utility assistance. If you live in the City of Seattle Zip Code Service Area contact Public Health's CHAP Line for assistance at 1-800-756-5437.

98101
98102
98103
98104
98106
98107
98108

98109
98112
98116
98117
98118
98119
98121

98122
98125
98126
98133*
98134
98136
98144

98155*
98177
98178*
98199


*Some residents of these zip codes may be served by other agencies if they are not within the Seattle City limits. If you are unsure if your home is located within our service area, you may call Byrd Barr Place (206-812-4940).

2023-2024 LIHEAP income eligibility

Household size Average monthly income limit
 1 $1,823
 2 $2,465
 3 $3,108
 4 $3,750
 5 $4,393

Utility Discount Program (UDP)

The Utility Discount Program (UDP) helps you get current and stay current on utility payments by offering a discount of up to 60% on your Seattle City Light bill and a 50% discount on your Seattle Public Utilities bill. This program is available for residential City Light and Seattle Public Utilities customers only.

Who is eligible?

  • If you have a City of Seattle light bill
  • If you are the homeowner or renter
    • If your landlord pays all utilities, qualifying low-income tenants may still be eligible for utility financial help.

2024 UDP income eligibility

 Household Size Gross Monthly Income Gross Yearly Income
1 $3,689 $44,268
2 $4,825 $57,900
3 $5,960 $71,520
4 $7,095 $85,140
5 $8,230 $98,760
6+ $213 $2,556

Note: Gross Income is based on 70% of the state's median income.

What to send:

  • Signed and dated City of Seattle application (153 Kb)
  • Gross income documentation from all sources for all household members age 18 or older for the last month prior to the date of your signature on your completed application.
  • Copy of state driver(s) license or state identification card for everyone in household 18 years and over.
  • Financial aid award(s); grants and loans verification

Where to send:

Access & Outreach
Public Health - Seattle & King County
401 5th Avenue #1000
Seattle, WA 98104

Or fax the application to 206-296-0881

Or email the application to chap@kingcounty.gov

NOTE: SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR ELIGIBILITY.

PSE Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP)

The Home Energy Lifeline Program(HELP) provides assistance for residential PSE customers to help pay electric or natural gas bills. If you qualify, you can receive a bill credit of up to $1,000. You must apply at a local service agency based on your location.

2024 PSE income eligibility

 Household Size Net Income 
King and Snohomish Counties
Net Income 
Pierce County
1 $5,888 $5,017
2 $6,729 $5,733
3 $7,571 $6,450
4 $8,408 $7,167
5 $9,083 $7,742

Note: PSE HELP eligibility is based on net income (income after taxes and authorized deductions). Net income limits for PSE HELP are based on 80% of Area Median Income(AMI) for the counties listed.

expand_less