Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
WA Department of Commerce
Washington's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is administered by the Department of Commerce through a network of community action agencies and local partners. Eligible households can receive a one-time heating (and now cooling) grant paid directly to the energy provider, help repairing or replacing an unsafe/inoperative heating or cooling unit, and a referral to Commerce's Weatherization Program for energy-efficiency upgrades. Heat source does not matter, electric, gas, propane, oil, coal, and wood are all eligible. Commerce does not determine eligibility or schedule appointments; the local LIHEAP provider does. RCW 19.405.120 separately requires investor-owned electric utilities to make low-income energy assistance programs and funding available; Commerce publishes a biennial Section 120 report on the statewide picture and is exploring a statewide monthly low-income energy bill assistance program design.