The Washington Legislature requires electric utilities make low-income energy assistance programs and funding available to low-income households under RCW 19.405.120. Here you can find state policies and related reports on utility low-income energy assistance programs and the Legislature’s request for a design recommendation for a statewide monthly low-income energy bill assistance program.
If you are looking for low-income energy assistance, contact your utility for local program offerings and visit the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) page to learn how to determine your eligibility and apply for the program through community action agencies and local partners.
Utility programs and funding
RCW 19.405.120, Section 120 requires utilities to make programs and funding available for energy assistance.
Commerce is required to submit a biennial report to the Legislature that includes:
- A statewide overview of energy assistance programs, energy costs, and the need for energy assistance.
- A breakdown of current spending on energy assistance for low-income households.
- An evaluation of the best ways to provide energy assistance, including customer rates, discounts for low-income households, system benefits charges, and public and private funding.
- A review of methods to focus energy assistance on low-income households with higher energy costs.
Commerce published its first biennial energy assistance report in 2023. An updated report will be available in early 2025.
Monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Design report
Commerce published its Statewide Monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Design Report (PDF) in November 2024. The Legislature required Commerce to create this recommendation because of the significant need for energy assistance, low participation in electric utility assistance programs, and the fragmentation among Washington’s 50+ electric utilities, each with varying levels of resources.
Commerce recommended a program design that ensures all low-income households have access to monthly energy assistance, offering consistent benefit levels tailored to meet the needs of households in similar situations. The program design incorporates insights and principles co-developed with low-income households, community organizations, Washington utilities, low-income advocates, state agencies and national consultants specializing in human-centered design, and low-income energy assistance programs.
While the Legislature required Commerce to propose a statewide program design, it does not require the agency to recommend its establishment or recommend a funding source. Commerce makes no recommendations for legislative action in the report.
Resources
Reports and supporting materials
- Low-Income Energy Assistance 2023 Legislative Report (PDF)
- Statewide Monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Design (PDF)
- Supporting materials (Box)