This story is part of The Salt Lake Tribune’s ongoing commitment to identify solutions to Utah’s biggest challenges through the work of the Innovation Lab.
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Winter is here, and with it comes higher heating bills.
And this year could be rougher because energy costs are riding the inflation wave.
Dominion Energy, for instance, is seeking a substantial rate increase from customers for natural gas service.
There is help for those who live close to the bone. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that $4.5 billion is available this year in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a 16% increase over last year’s funding.
Households with incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level are eligible for help. For a Utah family of four, that income limit is $3,469 per month.
To qualify, recipients must be responsible for paying their home heating bills, and there must be at least one U.S. citizen or a “qualifying non-citizen,” including those who have permanent resident status, living in the household.
In Utah, the Heat Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program is administered by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and Utahns can apply for help online at jobs.utah.gov/housing/scso/seal/heat.html# or by calling the state HEAT office at 1-866-205-4357.
They can also apply in person at HEAT offices around the state. Salt Lake and Tooele County residents can go to Utah Community Action, 850 West 1700 South, suite #4, Salt Lake City.
Last year, Utah HEAT recipients were eligible for up to $850 per year in help with their heating bills.
“We haven’t seen a rise yet, but expect to as the weather cools,” said Workforce Services spokesperson Sarah Nielson.
Dominion Energy and the Salvation Army also offer a separate assistance program called Residential Energy Assistance through Community Health (REACH), which is funded by donations from Dominion customers, employees and shareholders. Those interested can visit the Salvation Army’s Salt Lake City office at 438 S. 900 West or call 1-855-969-0526.
Utahns can also get help with their electric bills through the Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP), which will pay up $13.95 per month toward the electric bills of those who qualify. Those interested can apply through the HEAT program, or they can file a separate application at https://jobs.utah.gov/housing/scso/seal/help.html.
The Salvation Army also coordinates with Salt Lake City Public Utilities on an assistance program for water bills called Project Water ASSIST, which is funded in part by utility customer contributions. Applicants must meet the 150% poverty level and be over 60, disabled or qualified for a Salt Lake County Tax abatement.
For those who want to head off those higher bills with a dose of insulation, the Department of Workforce Services also oversees a weatherization program for low-income households. Funding is available for adding insulation, sealing cracks and other efficiency opportunities. Applicants can apply at those same HEAT offices around the state. That program is available to homeowners and renters. Renters must have their landlord’s permission.
For those households that are above the 150% poverty line and don’t qualify for these programs, there are still incentives for updating old furnaces and water heaters to more efficient heat pumps. Dominion Energy offers a variety of incentives through its ThermWise program. Rocky Mountain Power offers similar incentives through WattSmart and other programs. Those on municipal power systems or rural power co-ops can check with their providers for similar programs.
Tim Fitzpatrick is The Salt Lake Tribune’s renewable energy reporter, a position funded by a grant from Rocky Mountain Power. The Tribune retains all control over editorial decisions independent of Rocky Mountain Power.