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 $300 payment, based on their Benton PUD electric account status and total annual household income.
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 225% 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.
| Size of Family |
Up to 225% of Poverty Level |
| 1 |
$32,805 |
| 2 |
$44,370 |
| 3 |
$55,935 |
| 4 |
$67,500 |
| 5 |
$79,065 |
| 6 |
$90,630 |
| 7 |
$102,195 |
| 8 |
$113,760 |
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 Discounts
Senior, Disabled and Veteran discounts are available for qualified low income customers who 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 a low income discount.
| |
10% Discount |
15% Discount |
25% Discount |
| Size of Family |
Up to 225% of
Poverty Level |
Up to 200% of
Poverty Level |
Up to 150% of
Poverty Level |
| 1 |
$32,805 |
$29,160 |
$21,870 |
| 2 |
$44,370 |
$39,440 |
$29,580 |
| 3 |
$55,935 |
$49,720 |
$37,290 |
| 4 |
$67,500 |
$60,000 |
$45,000 |
| 5 |
$79,065 |
$70,280 |
$52,710 |
| 6 |
$90,630 |
$80,560 |
$60,420 |
| 7 |
$102,195 |
$90,840 |
$68,130 |
| 8 |
$113,760 |
$101,120 |
$75,840 |
Senior Discounts
2023 Low Income Senior Discount Application
2023 Low Income Senior Discount Application (Spanish)
Please return the application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Qualified Benton PUD customers may receive a 10%, 15%, or 25% monthly discount, or the equivalent of the Daily System Charge (whichever is greater), based on their total annual household income and if they or a member of their household are at least 62 years old. The total annual household income must be 225% or less of the Federally Established Poverty Guidelines. Only one discount per customer is allowed and will be applied to the residence where the senior lives.
More detailed information can be found on the application.
Disabled Discounts
2023 Low Income Disabled Discount Application
2023 Low Income Disabled Discount Application (Spanish)
Please return the application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Qualified Benton PUD customers may receive a 10%, 15%, or 25% monthly discount, or the equivalent of the Daily System Charge (whichever is greater), based on their total annual household income and if they or a member of their household have a qualifying disability. The total annual household income must be 225% or less of the Federally Established Poverty Guidelines. Only one discount per customer is allowed and will be applied to the residence where the disabled individual lives.
More detailed information can be found on the application.
Veteran, Active Military, and Widow/Widower Discounts
2023 Low Income Veteran, Active Military and Widow/Widower Discount Application
2023 Low Income Veteran, Active Military and Widow/Widower Discount Application (Spanish)
Please return the application to Benton PUD in person or by mail for processing.
Qualified Benton PUD customers may receive a 10%, 15%, or 25% monthly discount, or the equivalent of the Daily System Charge (whichever is greater), based on their total annual household income and if they or a member of their household have veteran, active military or widow/widower status. The total annual household income must be 225% or less of the Federally Established Poverty Guidelines. Only one discount per customer is allowed and will be applied to the residence where the veteran, active military member or widow/widower lives.
More detailed information can be found on the application.
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.