Submitted by Fox First at Ten on October 24th
SNAP WILL OPEN THIS YEAR'S ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPOINTMENTS ON OCTOBER 29 AT 8:30 AM.
APPOINTMENTS OPEN OCTOBER 29 AT 8:30 A.M.
WE EXPECT TO MAKE 6,500 APPOINTMENTS through January. Depending on funding, there's a possibility more appointments will be available at the end of January, but that won't be determined until later this year.
THE APPOINTMENT PHONE NUMBER IS 509.242.2376
Phone lines are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday until appointments are filled (probably 5-7 business days)
THE WEB APPOINTMENT ADDRESS IS SNAPWA.ORG
Web appointments can be made 24/7 after they open at 8:30 on the morning of October 29
We encourage people to use the web, since there are more appointment slots available and no long wait on the phone
People need to follow all the way through the appointment process until they see the confirmation page; without the confirmation code, they don't have a confirmed appointment.
If a web address is entered during the appointment process, a confirmation will be emailed as a reminder.
PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 12 WEEKS FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT.
It's very important for households to work with their heat provider to figure out payment arrangements in the interim – we don't want anyone without heat, and this program isn't designed for people in an emergency situation. If someone is in a situation where their power/heat is about to be shut off, they should contact the SNAP office closest to them to see if they qualify for Project Share funds.
TO QUALIFY, A HOUSEHOLD MUST:
Be in Spokane County Be at or below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (http://www.snapwa.org/services/energy/energy-assistance/guidelines) Prove they are responsible for paying the heat bill; or that heat is included in their rent
When people call or go online to make an appointment they will be asked several questions that will help determine if they're eligible for an appointment, including:
• Their address
• Their household income
• Their household size
• The last four numbers of their SSN
• Whether or not they've received assistance since October 1, 2012
If, after that initial screening, people appear eligible, an appointment will be set for them. At these appointments people must provide:
• Proof of address
• Proof of all household monies for the 3 months previous to month of appointment for all persons in the home. (This includes earned income, child support, SSI, SSA, SSD, TANF, retirement, unemployment, self-employment, etc…)
• Verification of Social Security numbers for all household members aged 18 and over.
• A current heating bill or lease agreement showing heat is included in rent (if applicable)
• Other documentation may also be required
The amount of assistance (grant) varies, and is based on:
• Household's annual heating costs
• Household size
• Type of housing
• Total household income
In most cases the grant goes directly to the heat provider (Avista, Inland Power, Banner Fuel, etc.). If the grant is larger than the amount due, monies stay in that household's account and serve as a credit for future energy bills.
FOR GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS:
Call 509.456.7111
Send us a message through the Contact page on SNAPWA.ORG
Leave us a Facebook message (facebook.com/snapwa.org)
This program is vital to the low-income people in our community because these grants help them cover a necessary expense, while hopefully creating a financial cushion that allows them to take care of other important things in their lives – like winter coats for the kids, starting a savings account, medical bills or groceries. Please help us spread the word!
