The Avista Cares Program is dedicated to supporting Avista customers in Washington state who are facing challenges with their home energy expenses due to temporary crises or unforeseen circumstances. This program, facilitated by Service and Advocacy for Neighbors (SAN), provides crucial financial aid to those eligible. If you’re an Avista customer struggling to manage your energy bills, understanding the Avista CARES program could be your first step towards relief.
Avista CARES Program: Eligibility and How it Can Help
The core mission of the Avista CARES program is to offer financial donations to Avista customers encountering a crisis or extenuating circumstance that impacts their ability to pay their energy bills. These funds are specifically designed to lessen the burden on households during tough times. To determine if you qualify for the Avista CARES program, consider the following guidelines:
- Residency and Customer Status: Applicants must be active Avista electric and/or natural gas customers residing within Washington state. This ensures that assistance is directed to local Avista customers in need.
- Award Limits: Typically, the Avista CARES program provides grants up to $300. However, there is some flexibility. Agencies administering the funds have the discretion to increase the award amount in exceptional situations, acknowledging that some crises may require additional support.
- Payment History and Resource Exhaustion: To be eligible for Avista CARES funds, households should demonstrate an effort to maintain a good payment history with Avista. Furthermore, it’s expected that applicants have explored and exhausted other available energy assistance resources before applying. This ensures that the Avista CARES program serves as a safety net for those with the most pressing and unmet needs.
- Program Frequency: The Avista CARES Donation Program is designed to provide immediate, short-term assistance. As such, assistance is generally awarded to a household only once within a year. This allows the program to support a wider range of customers throughout the year.
- Income Criteria: Importantly, eligibility for the Avista CARES program is not strictly tied to Federal Poverty Income Levels. This means that households above these levels may still qualify if they are experiencing a qualifying crisis, making the program accessible to a broader range of Avista customers facing temporary hardship.
- Disconnect Notice: You do not need to have received a Disconnect Notice from Avista to be eligible for assistance. The Avista CARES program is proactive in helping customers before they reach the point of potential service disconnection.
- Exceptions: For any situations that may fall outside of these standard guidelines, it’s recommended to contact a CARES representative directly to discuss the specifics of your situation and explore potential exceptions.
Key Definitions for Avista CARES Applicants
To fully understand the Avista CARES program, it’s helpful to clarify a few key terms used in the eligibility guidelines:
- Good Payment History: This is interpreted broadly to mean that the customer has made a reasonable effort to pay their Avista bills or has communicated with Avista to make arrangements regarding their account when facing difficulties. It acknowledges that temporary setbacks can happen to anyone.
- Exhausting Other Energy Assistance: This refers to situations where an applicant either does not qualify for other energy assistance programs or continues to face energy cost challenges even after receiving aid from other sources. The Avista CARES program is there to bridge gaps where other assistance may fall short.
- Extenuating Circumstances: These are defined as recent and significant life events that create financial strain. Examples include:
- Medical Crisis: This can encompass large medical bills, terminal illness, car accidents resulting in medical expenses, or other medical emergencies that place a sudden burden on household finances.
- Family Crisis: This category includes devastating events such as a home fire, the death of a family member, or situations of domestic violence that disrupt household stability and finances.
- Household Financial Crisis: This refers to sudden financial instability, such as recent job loss without severance or compensation, or divorce, which can significantly impact a household’s ability to meet essential expenses like energy bills.
Applying for Avista CARES Program Assistance
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria for the Avista CARES program and are experiencing a qualifying crisis, applying for assistance is straightforward. To start your application process:
Contact SAN (Service and Advocacy for Neighbors) directly:
- Call: 509-844-1758
- Email: [email protected]
When you reach out to SAN, be prepared to discuss your situation and how the Avista CARES program could assist you. A copy of your most recent Avista bill will be required as part of the application process to verify your customer status and account details.
The Avista CARES program, through SAN, is a vital resource for Avista customers in Washington state navigating temporary financial hardships related to energy costs. By understanding the eligibility guidelines and application process for the Avista CARES program, you can take a proactive step towards securing assistance during challenging times.
