EUGENE WATER  &  ELECTRIC  BOARD

Eugene Water & Electric Board offers a number of programs to help income-eligible customers who are having trouble paying their utility bills. EWEB commits more than $2 million each year to its limited-income programs, or about 1 percent of retail electric revenues. This level of funding is one of the highest in the nation, on a per capita basis, and is part of the value-added services offered by your citizen-owned utility. More than 4,000 households are helped each year.

Below you will find more information about these programs and how to access them.

Also read about Community Care, the economic-assistance fund EWEB created to help the community cope with the current economic crisis.

The Customer Care program (formerly known as Energy Share) provides financial aid for qualifying limited-income customers. Customers-in-need may be eligible to receive up to $200 in bill assistance per year, which is credited directly to their EWEB account.

Please note that the EWEB Board of Commissioners has voted to increase the bill assistance amount to $300 per year in 2010 to continue supporting limited income customers during the economic crisis.

The Customer Care program is funded by EWEB and its customers, the City of Eugene, and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission. The program is administered under a contract with the Lane County Human Services Commission. Assistance is based on household income. To apply for aid, customers first must schedule an appointment by calling one of the numbers listed below:

• St. Vincent de Paul Society: (541) 461-8794
• Celeste Campbell Senior Center: (541) 682-5318 (for customers 60 years and older)
• Catholic Community Services: (541) 747-8349 (for customers living in the Springfield/McKenzie area)

Since the program was created in 1986, EWEB has urged customers to donate to Customer Care. Although the program is primarily funded through general EWEB revenues, generous customers and others in the community have donated more than $1 million in additional funds during the past 20 years. These donated funds have helped customers pay portions of their bills not eligible for assistance with rate-based revenues. To donate to Customer Care, call EWEB at (541) 685-7000.

Limited-income customers may also be eligible for the Deposit Guarantor program, which provides assistance for a qualifying customer's account deposit (not to exceed $300). Through the Community Care program, EWEB is expanding this assistance to cover up to 75 percent of a qualifying customer's deposit, effective March 10, 2009, and continuing through September 30, 2010. Anyone who is accepted into the Deposit Guarantor program must also participate in EWEB's Customer Care Plus (see information below).

EWEB is offering a special, limited-duration program for military personnel who are called to active duty. To be eligible, a wage-earning member of the household must be on active duty, or have been on active duty within the past 12 months. Families may receive Customer Care assistance regardless of income. For military family assistance, call EWEB's Customer Care department at (541) 685-7000.

EWEB's Customer Care Plus program is designed to help income-eligible customers save energy and manage their utility bills. Qualifying customers have access to a menu of services including weatherization (increasing levels of insulation and sealing buildings against air leaks), appliance upgrades or replacements, energy conservation education, and heating system inspections and improvements.

To apply for EWEB's Customer Care Plus program call the Lane County Human Services Commission at (541) 682-3378. There may be a wait list for EWEB's Customer Care Plus program. If you are selected, an Energy Advocate will contact you to determine your eligibility and needs.

EWEB's conservation program for limited-income customers has been recognized nationally as an "exemplary" program. Read the news release.