Energy Assistance
We offer support for Seattle residents to help pay for home heating and cooling, as well as furnace repair, cleaning or replacement.
For clients that are in need of Energy Assistance during our holiday closure: our online form (https://www.tfaforms.com/5139416) and email (energyassistance@byrdbarr.place) will remain open to receive completed applications and supporting documents. Please note that these inboxes will not be monitored at all on weekends, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Our Energy Assistance Program team will be lightly monitoring incoming applications to ensure we are able to address any urgent cases. If you receive a disconnect notice or have your power disconnected entirely, please immediately apply using our online form and email us to inform us of the emergency. We will address your application within 48 business hours by either processing the application or following up with you to let you know what additional documents may be needed.
All non-urgent applications and questions will be addressed upon our return back to the office on January 6, 2025. Thank you!
Our energy assistance programs support households with low incomes pay energy bills, refill oil tanks, repair or replace furnaces, and receive new air conditioning (A/C) units to keep your home a comfortable temperature and the lights on.
Byrd Byrd Barr Place administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP), and the Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP). Households can qualify for one or more programs, depending on income and energy source.
What do you need assistance with?
The application period for our Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP), and Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) is now open.
Eligible households can apply online, or download an application and return it completed, along with copies of required attachments by email, mail, or drop off at Byrd Barr Place’s offices at 722 18th Ave. Our staff are here to help you, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., if you have questions or need help completing your application.
For PSE HELP, you can alternatively apply online at pse.com.
Note: You will need to qualify for LIHEAP in order to be eligible for other services, such as furnace repair or replacement, past-due energy bill payment support, or purchase of an A/C unit.
Notify Seattle City Light (206-684-3000) or Puget Sound Energy (1-888-225-5773) right away that you are applying to Byrd Barr Place for emergency energy assistance. If you have an active disconnect notice, we will process your application within 72 hours.
Apply online or download the form and return by email, mail or drop off at our offices. If you have questions or need help with the form, contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
Byrd Barr Place administers three energy assistance programs to help households with energy, heating, and cooling:
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Seattle City Light customers, using electric, gas, wood, or oil. Payment support ranges from $200 to $1,000. Households that qualify for LIHEAP may also get support to repair or replace your furnace, purchase an air conditioning unit, and pay a past-due balance on your utility bill.
- State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP) for Seattle City Light customers, using electric. Payment support ranges from $200 to $1,000.
- Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) for PSE customers using electric or gas. Payment support ranges from $250 to $1,000.
Depending on your income and utility provider, you may qualify for a grant from one or more of these programs once per program year, which runs Oct. 1, 2024 to Jul. 31, 2025. Payment support is made by Byrd Barr Place directly to the utility company.
You can apply online or download the application and return it completed along with the required attachments by email, mail, or drop off at our offices at 722 18th Ave. If you have questions or need help with the form, contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
For PSE HELP, you can alternatively visit pse.com to confirm your eligibility and complete the application.
For help refilling your oil tank, please complete the energy assistance application and include the most recent copy of your oil delivery receipt.
Apply online or download the form and return it by email, mail, or drop off at our offices. If you have questions or need help with the form, contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
If you are a homeowner and approved for the current LIHEAP program year, you may qualify for up to $10,000 in financial assistance to clean, repair, or replace your furnace.
Apply online or download the form and return it by email, mail, or drop off at our offices. If you have questions or need help with the form, contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers the Contingency Benefit and Arrearages Benefit to eligible households. Upon determination of need, a household may receive a Contingency Benefit of $500 or an Arrearage Benefit of up to $2,500 to pay a past-due balance to resolve a heat related crisis.
If a client has a balance of $550 or less after receiving a LIHEAP benefit, they will be processed for the Contingency Benefit. If a client has a balance of $551 or more after receiving a LIHEAP benefit, they will be processed for the Arrearage Benefit.
The Arrearage Benefit is a once-in-a-lifetime benefit. This means that all members of the household may be eligible to receive the benefit again in seven years.
Apply online or download the form and return by email, mail or drop off at our offices. If you have questions or need help with the form, contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
To be eligible for an air conditioning (A/C) unit, you must be approved for LIHEAP during the current program year.
To request an A/C, indicate your interest on the energy assistance application form or contact us at acprogram@byrdbarr.place or 206-812-4940.
The A/C unit is a once-in-a-lifetime benefit. This means all members of the household who receive this benefit may be eligible to receive the benefit again in seven years.
Our Community Connector can help you find and access other community resources and services. For example, we can assist you with signing up for SNAP, getting an ORCA card or bus passes, learning about job readiness programs, and connecting to coordinated health care. To request Community Connector services, please submit a request or call us at 206-812-4940.
You can also refer to the Byrd Barr Place Resource List for additional services, such as tenant counseling, legal assistance, relicensing, transportation, health and dental care, veterans support, and more.
Contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or call 206-812-4940 for more information.
Additional Application Information
To be eligible for energy assistance from Byrd Barr Place, you must meet the following criteria.*
1) Use electricity, natural gas, wood, propane or oil to heat your home.
2) Live in one of the following Seattle ZIP codes:
98101
98102
98103
98104
98106
98107
98108
98019
98112
98115
98116
98117
98118
98119
98121
98122
98125
98126
98133*
98134
98136
98144
98165
98177*
98199
* Residents of 98133 and 98177 ZIP codes are served by two agencies; please call us at 206-812-4940 to see if you are in our service area. Otherwise, you might be served by Hopelink at 425-658-2592.
3) Meet the following household income guidelines.
Eligibility is based on the average household monthly income for the previous three months.
| 2024–2025 Maximum Average Monthly Income Requirements | |||
| Household Size | LIHEAP | SHEAP | PSE HELP |
| 1 person | $1,883 | $5,887 | $6,475 |
| 2 people | $2,555 | $6,729 | $7,400 |
| 3 people | $3,228 | $7,570 | $8,325 |
| 4 people | $3,900 | $8,408 | $9,246 |
| 5 people | $4,573 | $9,083 | $9,988 |
| 6 people | $5,245 | $9,754 | $10,729 |
| 7 people | $5,918 | $10,429 | $11,467 |
| 8 people | $6,590 | $11,293 | $12,418 |
| 9 people | $7,263 | $12,049 | $13,250 |
| 10 people | $7,935 | $12,806 | $14,082 |
| 11 people | $8,608 | $13,563 | $14,914 |
| 12 people | $9,280 | $14,320 | $15,746 |
| 13 people | $9,953 | $15,076 | $16,578 |
| 14 people | $10,625 | $15,833 | $17,410 |
| 15 people | $11,298 | $16,590 | $18,242 |
| 16 people | $11,970 | $17,347 | $19,074 |
| 17 people | $12,643 | $18,103 | $19,906 |
| 18 people | $13,315 | $18,860 | $20,739 |
| 19 people | $13,988 | $19,617 | $21,571 |
** Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that you will receive assistance.
1- Client Application
Client submits application via online, email, mail, or in-person with checklist documents.
2- Byrd Barr Place Review
A Byrd Barr Place client advocate reviews the application information to confirm accuracy and enters it into the system.
3 – Byrd Barr Place Validation
A different Byrd Barr Place client advocate validates the application — and either “awards” or “rejects” the application.
4 – State Government Approval
On Monday and Thursday mornings, awarded applications are uploaded to the Washington State Dept. of Commerce website for review and approval.
4 – State Government Approval
On Monday and Thursday mornings, awarded applications are uploaded to the Washington State Dept. of Commerce website for review and approval.
5 – Byrd Barr Place Payment to Utility
Following Washington State Dept. of Commerce approval, Byrd Barr Place issues the grant directly to the energy utility provider who then applies it to the client’s account.
Applications are processed in the order received. If a submitted application is incomplete, we will contact you, and you will have 90 days from the signature date to provide missing documents or information before your application expires.
After processing, Byrd Barr Place will pledge your payment support amount to your utility on your behalf. The grant may take one to two billing cycles before it is reflected on your bill. Direct pay clients should receive a check by mail six to eight weeks following processing.
In the meantime, find out from your utility how much you owe and set up payment arrangements, if needed. You must continue to pay your bills to prevent a disconnection.
Once the payment support is applied to your account, you are responsible for any balance or future payments. As long as you owe money, you will continue to receive notices until it is paid. You must pay 50% of what you owe (including the payment support) to prevent a shut off or to reconnect your service.
If your service is shut off, contact your utility to set up a time for reconnection. You may be charged a reconnection fee and may be required to pay the balance on a closed account.
If you need assistance to pay your balance, please contact your utility to make payment arrangements or call 2-1-1 for more resources.
- Seattle City Light 206-684-3000
- Puget Sound Energy 1-888-225-5773
Seattle City Light Customers
You may be eligible to have your electric bills lowered by 60%. Visit Seattle City Light’s Utility Discount Program or call 206-684-0268.
If you require additional assistance for a disconnect or urgent notice, please visit Seattle City Light or call 206-684-3688.
Q: Do I need to have a shut-off notice or be disconnected to apply?
A: No. This program is designed to help you pay your bills. You do not have to have a shut-off notice to apply.
Q: How much will I receive?
A: Assistance varies by household. Payment support is calculated based on your average household income, number of household members, historical energy usage and housing type.
Q: When will I receive my payment support?
A: If you have a disconnect notice we will process your application within 72 hours. Otherwise, applications are processed in the order received. After processing, the payment support will be pledged to your utility on your behalf. It can take up to 8 weeks from your application date to show as paid on your account. You must continue to pay your bills to prevent a disconnection. If you need assistance to pay your balance, please contact your utility to make payment arrangements or call 2-1-1 for more resources.
Q: I get the monthly 60% discount on my Seattle City Light bill. Can I still apply for payment support?
A: Yes, please still apply. With UDP (Utility Discount Program) and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), you can cover more of your Seattle City Light bills for the year.
Q: What if I owe money on an old account or an account at a different residence?
A: If you have moved and closed your account or have been disconnected, your payment support can go only toward your new, active account. Call your utility service provider to make payment arrangements on your previous account balance.
Q: I applied last year, and my payment support was more. If my income hasn’t changed, why is my payment support less this year?
A: Payment support is calculated based on household income, household size, housing type and energy usage. Payment support can vary year to year depending on how these variables change. If your household income and size have not changed, the difference is probably due to your energy usage.
Q: I was included on another household member’s application who applied this year. Can I apply too?
A: No. Energy assistance payment support applies to the whole household. Everyone listed as a household member benefits from the payment support and cannot apply separately or be listed as part of another household until the next program year. This applies even if you move to your own residence.
Q: Can I apply if I was denied in the past?
A: Yes. We look at your current income and household size. If you were denied before and want to apply again, we will review your application to see if you meet the eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
The application period for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP), and Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) is now open through Jul. 31, 2025.
Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
To apply via email or mail, please download and complete the application and attach all required documents.
Email: energyassistance@byrdbarr.place
Mail: Attn: Energy Assistance, Byrd Barr Place, 722 18th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Meet with a client advocate at Byrd Barr Place to complete an energy assistance application and submit supporting documents.
Our address is 722 18th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Common Application Questions
1 – Energy Documentation
Provide a copy of your Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, and/or oil vendor bill from within the last year that shows your account number.
*If you pay for utilities as a portion of your rent, you will also need a copy of your rental lease stating that heat is included with your rent; a rent receipt that shows your residency at your address; and a Heat With Rent (HWR) form (included in the application) signed and dated by your landlord.
2 – Social Security Card(s) for all Household Members
If you or a family member do not have a social security card, alternative documentation that shows the full social security number (SSN) can be used, such as a W-2 form, pay stub, or tax forms (e.g., SSA-1099, Non-SSA 1099, 1098).
3 – Income Documentation for all Adult Household Members (18+ Years Old)
Complete the Household Income Information Form within the application and provide copies of income documentation, such as work pay stubs, child support, and federal assistance benefits like SSA, SSI, TANF, or ABD. You must enter income for the three months prior to the application signature date.
If you do not have income, complete and sign the Declaration of No Income Form within the application.
4 – Signed Energy Savings Form
Review and sign the Energy Savings Tips Form included in the application packet.
You can submit the application without uploading supporting documents, but the application CANNOT be evaluated until these documents are received by upload or by mail.
If uploading pictures, please ensure the pictures are clear and readable.
There is a 35MB limit for all pictures and documents being uploaded. This can be an issue if the images you’re uploading are extremely high quality or if you live in a larger household. If you receive an error for exceeding the maximum allowed size, please re-submit the application with only the uploads for your ID and utility bill(s), and we will send you a secure upload link to attach your remaining documents separately.
If you have trouble, please email us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place.
If you receive errors upon submission and need help troubleshooting, please contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place.
Still Need Help?
Contact us at energyassistance@byrdbarr.place or call 206-812-4940 for more information.
