Requirements

• Low-income residential household – May not exceed the higher of 80% of area median household income or 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), adjusted for household size.
• Qualifying emergency (medical, loss of job) or financial hardship 
• Applicant must be listed on the PUD account and reside at the service address 
• Applicant must have active service for a minimum of 2 months

Program Assistance

• Maximum assistance amount $300 
• One application per household within a 12-month period 
• Traditional Accounts – Assistance amount provided shall be the lesser amount of (1) the total balance owing or (2) the maximum assistance amount.
• Prepaid Accounts –Assistance amount provided shall be the lesser amount of (1) 30 days of the calculated daily average plus arrangement balance or (2) the maximum assistance amount.
• Budget Accounts –Assistance amount provided shall be the lesser amount of (1) the budget amount plus any balance owing or (2) the maximum assistance amount.
• PUD, State or Federal Declared Emergency – Applicants may re-apply for an additional maximum assistance amount of up to $300 within a 12-month period. 

Program Restrictions

• Not available for deposits or collection balances
• Not available for any fees
• Not available if previous fraud events
• Not available if on Moratorium Payment Plan

Application Period

• Year round or when program funds are depleted

Application Process

• Complete the application in its entirety
• Submit application, along with income documents, to Cowlitz PUD
• Applications can be emailed, faxed, mailed, or dropped off at our Main Office
• Cowlitz PUD will determine eligibility upon review of information submitted and in accordance with the Customer Services Policy