Community Connection
Utility Disconnect Prevention
Community Connection offers a number of different programs to assist with emergency utility disconnect prevention. Almost all of our programs define utilities as those that produce heat and / or light. We are very rarely able to assist with water, sewage, or telephones. The resources we offer an be broken down into three classifications.
LOW INCOME RURAL HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIRHAP)
LIRHAP is a program sponsored by Avista Utilities in Union County - the local natural gas provider. This program functions on the same income eligibility requirements as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. It requires proof of income for the last 30 days, social security numbers from everyone in the household and a disconnect notice from Avista Utilities. This program funds ONLY NATURAL GAS disconnects.
This funding is flexible. It can be used to pay for Natural Gas, Deposits, Reconnect Fees and even Bad Debt.
OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE DEREGULATION FUND (OTEC-DEREG)
OTEC-DEREG is a program sponsored by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. It funds ONLY ELECTRICITY DISCONNECTS FROM OTEC. In order to be eligible for the funding, an applicant must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty level. This program requires proof of income for the last 30 days, social security numbers from everyone in the household and a disconnect notice from Oregon Trail Electric.
This funding is flexible. It can be used to pay for Natural Gas, Deposits, Reconnect Fees and even Bad Debt.
Fuel Blind Assistance Programs
PROJECT SHARE
Project Share is a program sponsored by the rate payers of Avista Utilities. When you get your natural gas bill every month, you may notice a small line where you can make a contribution towards the program. All contributions made in Union County are returned to Union County for disbursement. Avista has made a commitment to keep this program fuel blind in order to benefit the communities in which they do business, irrespective of the energy vendor. It can cover Natural Gas, Electricity, Heating Oil or Propane. As a matter of policy, we do not use Project Share funding to cover deposits or connection fees.
To qualify for this program an applicant should be below 125% of the Federal Poverty level. It also requires a disconnect notice from the utility provider. In the case of heating oil or propane a case worker will call the vendor for verbal documentation needs of the program.
Project Share has a maximum program contribution of $125.
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM
ESGP has a percentage of it's funding every year that is dedicated to utility disconnect prevention. This program can cover electricity, natural gas, propane or heating oil. ESGP cannot be used to cover deposits or connection fees.
To qualify for this program an applicant should be below 125% of the Federal Poverty level. It also requires a disconnect notice from the utility provider. In the case of heating oil or propane a case worker will call the vendor for verbal documentation needs of the program. ESGP requires proof of income for the last 30 days, social security numbers for everyone in the household and has a maximum program contribution of $125.
EMERGENCY HOUSING ACCOUNT
EHA has no dedicated funding for utilities and because of it's flexibility is more commonly used for rent, emergency lodging or self sufficiency program matching funds. However, another authorized use is fuel blind utility assistance. EHA, when used for utilities is identical to ESGP (above).