(Washington State) The state Department of Commerce announced a new program on Monday to help lower-income Washingtonians keep the lights on. The State Home Energy Assistance (SHEAP) program will apply $35 million in Climate Commitment Act funding to complement the federal Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This funding doubles the number of people who can apply for utility assistance and home efficiency improvements to up to 1.2 million Washingtonians.
SHEAP has two components: energy bill assistance and weatherization. Weatherization brings energy bills down by making homes more energy efficient through updates like new windows, insulation, and efficient electric appliances like heat pumps.
These improvements add up for big savings for Washingtonians. In Marysville, Gov. Jay Inslee met a resident whose monthly bills fell by two-thirds thanks to better insulation and ventilation. In Walla Walla, Gov. Jay Inslee met an adult family home operator who found that new heat pumps were lowering bills and helping her residents stay comfortable, providing cooling in the summer and warmth in the winter.
SHEAP is available to utility customers who make up to 80% of the area median income (AMI). In 2024, 80% of the AMI was approximately:
- $110,950 for a family of four in King County
- $78,300 for a family of four in Spokane County
- $94,400 for a family of four in Clark County
People interested in this program can find a directory of community organizations providing these services. The Washington Climate Action website lists additional rebate and saving programs.
