Assistance and discounts are available
Helping Hands
Benton PUD’s Helping Hands funds are available for qualified low income customers who need assistance paying their electric bill. Funds are collected throughout the year from customers, employees and members of the community and are then disbursed to qualified customers by Community Action Connections (CAC).
Assistance Amount
Qualified customers may receive a $125 - $225 payment voucher (dependent upon family size), based on their Benton PUD electric account status and total annual household income.
| Family size |
Assistance amount |
| 1 |
$125 |
| 2 |
$150 |
| 3 |
$175 |
| 4 |
$200 |
| 5 |
$225 |
Only one payment voucher, per customer, per household is allowed every 12 months.
Eligibility
Benton PUD electric account status
The electric account must be past due or a financial need (see below) must exist.
Financial Need Criteria:
- Household with justified crisis / emergency expenses
- (unexpected expenses or day-to-day costs that cause a hardship on an on-going basis)
- Household whose average income reduced by 25%
- Household whose rent increased by 25%
- Household received a 3 or 5-day pay or vacate notice
- Household past due on mortgage and may be faced with foreclosure
Low Income Qualification
A Benton PUD customer may earn a total annual household income up to 150% of the Federally Established Poverty Guidelines (FPL), including income sources of all household members. Annual income is calculated using the previous month’s income multiplied by 12. The chart below captures the maximum annual household income to qualify for Helping Hands.
Documentation Required to apply for Helping Hands
- Social Security cards for all household members; AND
- Identification cards for all household member 18 and above; AND
- Birth Certificates for all children 17 and below residing in household; AND
- Current proof of address, in applicant’s name, other than the heating source; AND
- Past Due Notice or Disconnection notice from Benton PUD; AND
- Gross income from all sources such as employment, unemployment, TANF, child support for all households members 18 and above for the previous month
Application Process
To apply for Helping Hands, visit CAC with the required documentation listed above. CAC is located at 720 W Court St in Pasco, WA and can be reached at (509) 545-4065. If qualifications are met, CAC will issue a payment voucher to Benton PUD that will be applied to the customer's account.
Low Income Senior Discounts
Qualified customers may receive a 10%, 15% or 25% monthly discount based on their total annual household income. To be eligible, the Benton PUD customer must be at least 62 years of age, and have a maximum household income of 225% of Federal Poverty Level.
2023 Low Income Senior Discount Application
2023 Low Income Senior Discount Application (Spanish)
The discount will go into effect on the first day of the customer’s next billing period. Only one discount per customer is allowed, and will be applied to the residence where the senior resides. An application, age verification and income verification are required every three years, or upon request of Benton PUD, to receive the monthly discount. Income verification must be performed by an authorized government agency, including Community Action Connections (CAC). CAC is located at 720 W. Court Street in Pasco, WA and can be reached at (509) 545-4065.
Please return original application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Low Income Disabled Discounts
Qualified customers may receive a 10%, 15% or 25% monthly discount based on their total annual household income. To be eligible, the applicant or a household member, must have a qualifying disability, and have a maximum household income of 225% of Federal Poverty Level.
2023 Low Income Disabled Discount Application
2023 Low Income Disabled Discount Application (Spanish)
The discount will go into effect on the first day of the customer’s next billing period. Only one discount per customer is allowed, and will be applied to the residence where the disabled individual resides. An application, disability verification and income verification are required every three years, or upon request of Benton PUD, to receive the monthly discount. Income verification must be performed by an authorized government agency, including Community Action Connections (CAC). CAC is located at 720 W. Court Street in Pasco, WA and can be reached at (509) 545-4065.
Please return original application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Low Income Veteran, Active Military and Widow/Widower Discounts
Qualified Benton PUD customers may receive a 10%, 15% or 25% monthly discount, or waiver of the daily system charge (whichever is greater), based on total annual household income and veteran or active military status. Only one discount per customer is allowed and will be applied to the residence where the veteran, active military member or widow/widower resides.
2023 Low Income Veteran, Active Military and Widow/Widower Discount Application
The discount will go into effect on the first day of the customer’s next billing period. An application to verify income, veteran or active military status and proof of marriage for widows/widowers is required every three years, or upon request of the District, to receive the monthly discount. If your income declines within the three-year period, please contact us to determine if you are eligible for a higher discount.
Please return original application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Veterans Assistance Fund
Assistance is available on past due utility bills for Benton County veterans, their families and the families of deceased veterans who were honorably discharged from the military. To apply for assistance, contact the Benton and Franklin Counties Department of Human Services at (509) 737-3919.
Community Action Connection
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households maintain affordable, dependable utility services and avoid disconnection during the winter months. Contact Community Action Connection (CAC) for information regarding LIHEAP 509-545-4042 or visit their website at www.bfcac.org to register for the LIHEAP program.