EUGENE WATER  &  ELECTRIC  BOARD

The Eugene Water & Electric Board is taking action to help the community cope with the ongoing economic crisis. As a citizen-owned utility, we feel a strong need and urgency to do what we can to help.

EWEB has created Community Care, which is designed to assist those who are struggling to pay their utility bills due to job loss, cutbacks in work hours and benefits, or other factors.

EWEB's elected Commissioners created a $4.4 million economic-assistance fund for 2009. Responding to a continued need, Commissioners voted to allocate an additional $1.7 million to extend the program through September 30, 2010.

The money is coming from the sale of surplus power to other utilities in the region. Rather than keep these funds in cash reserves, EWEB is returning it to our customers during a time of community need.

These funds augment a robust low-income assistance program that already provides more than $2 million annually to help 4,000 low-income households. These bill assistance and weatherization programs already were among the most generous in the nation; the additional funding will enable EWEB to help thousands more households this year.

If you are out of work or have been affected by the bad economy, we urge you to take advantage of the menu of programs EWEB is offering to assist customers who may be struggling to pay their utility bills.

• Job Loss Program

  EWEB will provide up to $300 in bill-payment assistance for jobless customers who are receiving unemployment compensation.

  Eligibility requirements
  Program description and application

• Job Loss Loan Deferral Program

  Jobless customers with weatherization loans may also be eligible to defer their loan payments.

  Eligibility requirements
  Program application

• Shelter Facility Assistance

  Permanent homeless shelters within EWEB's service territory may apply for electric utility assistance payments.

  Program description and application

• Weatherization Incentives

  EWEB's Community Care program provides additional weatherization funding for homeowners and renters whose income falls at or below 80 percent of the state median income. Call EWEB at (541) 685-7000 to request an application for this specific program.

  Eligibility requirements
  Program description and income guidelines
  

• Small Business Lighting Incentives
  

  Business customers with less than 5,000 watts of interior lighting can apply for a cash rebate to help replace existing lighting with energy efficiency lighting. EWEB has directed an additional funding to this program to increase the rebate percentage and number of customers assisted.

  Program catalog and rebate application

• Deposit Guarantor Program

  Qualifying customers may receive assistance with their account deposit. EWEB is expanding its contribution to this existing program in 2009 from 50 to 75 percent for qualifying low income customers.

• Crisis Program

  EWEB is expanding its crisis assistance program. Crisis payments are generally limited to $500 per household and are administered by EWEB staff.

  Eligibility guidelines and application
  Medical equipment exemption form
  Supplemental form

To apply for a Community Care program, complete the necessary application(s) and submit with any required documentation to:

• Email: Attach scanned documents and send to eweb.assistance@eweb.org
• Fax: (541) 684-5811
• Mail or drop off: EWEB, 500 East Fourth Ave, Eugene, OR 97401

Please note which application(s) are included on the fax, email or mailing envelope.

Customers applying for the Crisis Program must deliver applications in person to EWEB's Headquarters with original documentation.

To learn more about EWEB's Community Care and existing low-income assistance programs, call us at (541) 685-7000.

People from all parts of Lane County can now call one number to gain access to emergency fund programs, local food banks, child care, training, and unemployment opportunities after they've lost their jobs.

Call (541) 682-7200 to connect for help.

Visit Lane Workforce Partnership to learn more.