Some Aid and Assistance offered by government in the Washington King County area: (updated 2/15/12)
| Entity |
Discount Information |
| City of Seattle-Electric
|
Discounted Rates: Saves about 60 percent off utility bills for low-income families (e.g. 2 people max yearly Gross $40,020).
Seattle.gov/light/assistance/ as of 5/1/2014
Weatherization Grants. Assists low-income homeowners with weatherization so
they use less energy.
Project Share. Helps customers in crisis pay their bills. funded by Seattle
City Light customer voluntary contributors.
Federal Energy Assistance Programs: CAMP(Central Area Motiation Program), Hopelink
(north King County) and South King County Multi-service Centers all offer financial
help and budget counseling.
City of SeattleAssistance |
Puget Sound Energy
Home Energy Lifeline Program |
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program bill credits from the Federal government
(up to $1000)
|
| Washington Telephone Assistance |
Discount on monthly basic service. Eligible persons pay $8 plus taxes per month for basic service (includes unlimited local calling).
Or eligible households can select a cell phone with 250 free minutes and 250 free texts per month (see section below).5/1/14
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/wtap.shtml
|
| WIC Nutrition Program |
$100 for two per month for food plus free health screening (for mothers w/ children under 5) In addition to Food Stamps. If you receive Medicaid or Healthy Options, you are automatically eligible for WIC. |
| Medicaid |
In addition to SSDI. |
| Public Housing Assistance-6 programs |
Make less than 80% of median income, receive housing, pay 30% of income for rent and utilities (in 2008 this was $68,404). This would mean pay $1,368/mo. maximum for public housing and utilities.
http://www.seattlehousing.org/housing/ |
| Comcast / Wave Cable |
Discounts of $4/month for basic cable
|
| Free Toilet and installation |
- You are a homeowner of any age with a Seattle Public Utilities account.
- You currently live in the home you own.
- Your existing toilets were manufactured before 1994.
- You meet income guidelines for your household size (examples below)
| Household Size |
Annual Income |
| 1 person |
$28,560 |
| 2 persons |
$37,344 |
| 3 persons |
$46,140 |
| 4 persons |
$54,924 |
http://www.seattle.gov/util/services/water/reduce_water_use/lowincometoiletoffer/ |
City of Seattle Discount Summary  |
Link to 2011 Directory |
| Free Cell Phone |
Qualifying in Washington State:
-
Already participate in one of the following assistance programs:
- Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)
- Disability Lifeline (formerly General Assistance)
- DSHS Chore Service
- Medical Assistance (including Medicare cost-sharing programs)
- Refugee Assistance
- State Family Assistance (SFA)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
OR
-
Total household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). The table below provides the maximum income you can have to be eligible for service.
Number Persons
in Household |
Annual Income |
Monthly Income |
| 1 |
$14,702 |
$1,225 |
| 2 |
$19,859 |
$1,655 |
| 3 |
$25,016 |
$2,085 |
| 4 |
$30,173 |
$2,514 |
| 5 |
$35,330 |
$2,944 |
| 6 |
$40,487 |
$3,374 |
| 7 |
$45,644 |
$3,804 |
| 8 |
$50,801 |
$4,233 |
| For each additional person, add... |
$5,157 |
$430 |
This service is funded from the Universal Service Fund fee on local phone service. As of February, 2012, the fee was $1.03, assessed at 17.9% of the Federal Access Charge (which is currently $5.77). For Cell phone users, the fee was $1.96/mo. |
| Reduced Fares on Regional Transportation |
$3/month provides discounted fares on buses/ferries, etc. for those age 65 or older, or disabled
http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/reduced_fare_permit.html |