Utility Assistance Programs

We offer a variety of energy and water assistance programs designed to assist low-income households with paying utility bills or purchasing bulk fuels such as heating oil, wood pellets, or propane.

Eligible families can receive benefits paid toward their water or energy bill, including natural gas, electricity, wood, propane, and oil costs.  Benefit amounts are determined by total household income, size, and energy type and do not typically require a disconnection or situation where heating fuel is nearly exhausted in order to be received.

Households who have already received energy or water assistance for the program year but who are facing an energy emergency, such as service disconnection or heating fuel being nearly exhausted may also be able to receive additional assistance depending on funding availability and household eligibility.  If we are unable to help, referrals to other organizations might also be an option.

MCCAC partners with many local utility vendors to offer local assistance programs and discount programs in addition to typical utility assistance. Participating vendor partners with discount programs include City of Hood River, City of The Dalles, Northern Wasco County PUD, The Dalles Disposal, and Hood River Disposal. Participating vendor partners with local assistance programs include Northern Wasco County PUD, Wasco Electric Co-Op, Hood River Electric Co-Op, Northwest Natural Gas, and City of Cascade Locks. For more information on how to qualify for these programs, please call 541-298-5131, ext. 206 or email us at energy@mccac.com today.

Intake Questions Overview

Below are a few of the basic questions we will need to ask and some criteria regarding eligibility. Our team is here to help walk you through the application process. To get started, apply below or give us a call at 541-298-5131, ext. 206.

• Must be located in Wasco, Sherman or Hood River Counties | WA Gorge Residents click HERE

• Have you received assistance before? | This determines if you need a new application or an extension to previous assistance.

• What type of heating or cooling do you have? We serve people that have natural gas, electricity, wood, propane, and heating oil systems.

• How many people reside in the household? How many adults? How many children?

• What is the source and amount of gross income for the household? Income earned by minors is not counted.

• Is the household in a crisis situation?

What documents are usually required?

• Income verification for all household members except minors.

• Identification* and Social Security cards for all adult members, Social Security cards only for minors (if unavailable we can use a waiver).

• Utility/Vendor bill(s), statement, invoice or receipt (must be in the name of the applicant or any adult household member).

• Proof of SNAP enrollment for zero income adults (if applicable).

  *Many different forms of identification are allowed. Social Security numbers/citizenship are not required for certain programs and situations. Call us for more information or assistance obtaining needed documents.

UPDATES

MCCAC will start taking applications for its 2024 Heating Program on December 1st!

Households living outside The Dalles or Hood River can request an appointment for one of the following outreach locations: Moro, Maupin, or Cascade Locks. Online applications open on December 1st as well.

Call 541-298-5131, ext. 206 to be added to the waitlist for appointments at The Dalles Office, or 541-980-3502 for appointments at the Hood River Office. Staff will be calling back to set up appointments by 11/1/23.

Weatherization Services

Reducing your energy bills, permanently.

Our weatherization program is designed to assist households with low incomes to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient. Measures may include attic, wall, floor, and duct insulation, testing space and water heater equipment for repair or replacement, and other minor repairs to increase the safety and affordability of your home.

Both homeowners and renters with low incomes may qualify for weatherization assistance. Before weatherization services can be provided to a rental property, the property owner must provide written authorization.

Wait times for weatherization services are dependent on available funding and household priority level. Applications are prioritized based on a variety of factors, including heating emergencies, high energy usage and cost, and household members who are elderly or disabled, among others.

Income eligibility requirements vary by program.

Qualifying for weatherization assistance.

• Income eligibility varies by program, with 200% under the poverty level as a general benchmark(2020).

• The weatherization of an owned home requires much of the same process as other energy assistance. Click here for an overview of that process.

• We’ll need permission from your landlord or property manager to weatherize a rented home. Let us know if you need assistance talking to your landlord about this process.

• ID and documentation of income are also requirements.

Questions about Weatherization? Give us a call today!