Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Oregon program

Help with the energy bill

Help with electricity and heating bills through your local community action agency [LIHEAP and Oregon energy assistance].

What it is

Help with electricity and heating bills through your local community action agency [LIHEAP and Oregon energy assistance].

Energy help can take pressure off the budget while treatment changes family income. Your local community action agency reviews income and the bill. Some utility companies also offer a separate monthly discount.

Eligibility rules
  • The fiscal-year 2026 limit is 60% of state median income. Monthly amounts are $5,167.17 for three people, $6,151.42 for four and $7,135.58 for five.
  • Those limits cover October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What you get
  • A payment toward the energy account, with crisis help available through local programs.
  • PGE advertises a separate 15%–80% discount on eligible energy charges. PGE confirms your household’s band and start date.
What the help includes
  • The separate Oregon Energy Assistance Program serves Pacific Power and Portland General Electric customers.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask the local community action agency about its energy application, funding and opening dates.
  2. Have a recent utility bill, household income and the names of people living at home ready.

Your local community action agency, listed by Oregon Housing and Community Services. · Official page ↗

After you ask
  • The local agency sets its processing timeline and explains any approved credit to your energy account.
Good to know

The income limit uses Oregon's median income, not poverty guidelines. Local programs and utility discounts have separate rules.

Other details
  • Energy-assistance income tables and local funding change by fiscal year. The current table ends September 30, 2026; final limits and local opening dates for October 1 onward still need confirmation. Ask the social worker or community-action agency which dated table applies and whether funds are available before relying on an amount.
  • PGE has an income-qualified discount advertised at 15%–80% of eligible energy charges. Your household’s band, when the discount begins and which charges it covers must be confirmed by PGE. It does not automatically erase an overdue balance. Other utilities use their own discount or assistance rules.

Federal background: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Could energy assistance or a utility discount help our household? What are the limits or drawbacks, and could you help with the right application if we qualify?”

Why I’m asking: I want to understand whether the energy bill can be reduced while other costs rise.

More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Apply with the bill and proof of income.

Your social worker

The social worker can name the agency for your address.

The care team

Records and letters when the application asks for them.

Who decides
The local community action agency.
Ask the agency
“We have a child in cancer treatment and our income has dropped. Can you take an energy assistance application and tell me about crisis help?”

How to apply

First step: Call your local community action agency and ask when the season opens and what they need.

  1. Call the local community action agency and ask what the season dates are this year.
  2. If Portland General Electric is your provider, apply for the income-qualified discount as well.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Find your local community action agency through Oregon Housing and Community Services.

What to gather

  • A recent energy bill
  • Proof of household income
  • Who lives at home

How long: Local agencies set their own timelines.

What a yes looks like

A credit applied to the energy account.

What a no looks like, and the next move

Usually income. Ask whether crisis assistance has a different test.

Watch out

  • This limit is measured against state median income, not the poverty level.
  • The extra Energy Assistance Program only covers Pacific Power and Portland General Electric customers.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.

What it is worth

FY2026 energy assistance uses a $6,151.42 monthly screen for four through September 30, 2026. PGE advertises a separate 15%–80% discount on eligible energy charges; the household band and effective billing date need confirmation.

  • $6,151.42/month — FY2026 household of 4 monthly limit; expires September 30, 2026
  • $5,167.17/month — FY2026 household of 3 monthly limit; expires September 30, 2026
  • $7,135.58/month — FY2026 household of 5 monthly limit; expires September 30, 2026
  • $15/month — Portland General Electric monthly bill discount, lower end
  • $80/month — Portland General Electric monthly bill discount, upper end

Covers: A payment towards the energy bill · Crisis assistance · A monthly percentage discount for Portland General Electric customers who qualify

What it costs the family: None.

The eligibility facts, as published

Income
at or under 60% of Oregon state median income by household size
Utility
the Oregon Energy Assistance Program is limited to Pacific Power and Portland General Electric customers

Expect friction on: Each local community action agency runs it slightly differently

The trap: This is not measured against the poverty level, so the arithmetic you did for the other programmes will not give you the answer here.

Where I read this

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