COVID-19 Member Support Programs
PANDEMIC UPDATE: Governor Inslee will be lifting the moratorium on all utility disconnects on September 30, 2021. Since the start of the pandemic, OPALCO has worked with members to offer additional assistance and long term payment plans for members behind on their power bills. Members with payment plans will not be disconnected! Our goal is get every member who needs one on a payment plan.
Please contact us today at (360) 376-3500 to talk to one our Member Services Representatives. Members struggling to pay their bill can call 211 or visit wa211.org to access local resources or contact their Family Resource Centers to see what they can qualify for.
The following programs are available to OPALCO members and customers who need assistance paying their Co-op bills due to economic hardship as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. OPALCO requests that customers with overdue bills contact Co-op’s customer service for assistance at (360) 376-3500. You may apply for COVID-19 assistance HERE.
Measure Waive Fees Waive Fees No Disconnection for Non-payment No Disconnection for Non-payment Voluntary Disconnects Voluntary Disconnects Energy Assist (EAP) COVID qualified Energy Assist (EAP) COVID qualified Energy Assist for Businesses (EAP-C) Energy Assist for Businesses (EAP-C) Switch It Up payment deferrals Switch It Up payment deferrals Extend Project PAL Benefits Extend Project PAL Benefits Community Solar Credits for COVID-19 Relief Community Solar Credits for COVID-19 Relief Description Waive Fees No member action required—automatic No Disconnection for Non-payment Will not disconnect a member who hasn’t paid their bill. No member action required – automatic. Voluntary Disconnects Businesses can disconnect temporarily; OPALCO pulls meter and no bill is issued. Call 360-376-3500 to schedule. Energy Assist (EAP) COVID qualified Members can now qualify by checking COVID box. Monthly bill credit is $31.41-$61.41 (depending on household size) and will be available for up to two billing periods through August. First come, first served until funds exhausted. Apply online. All EAP participants are also eligible for a $25 bill credit on their Rock Island bill (show Rock Island your OPALCO bill credit). Energy Assist for Businesses (EAP-C) Monthly bill credit equal to service access charge for up to two billing periods through August. Apply through COVID-19 Form (online) and requires a payment plan if account has unpaid balances. First come, first served until funds exhausted. All EAP participants are also eligible for a $25 bill credit on their Rock Island bill (show Rock Island your OPAL-CO bill credit). Switch It Up payment deferrals Participants in the Switch it Up program can defer their on-bill finance payments for up to six months. Apply through COVID-19 Form (online). Extend Project PAL Benefits Extend PAL season; allow up to two grants within this PAL season (Nov-June). COVID PAL grants would be $100. Apply for PAL at your Family Resource Center or online. *PAL is currently NOT taking applications but is expected to resume for 2020/21 heating season. Stay tuned for details. Community Solar Credits for COVID-19 Relief Participants in the Decatur Community Solar Project will be invited to donate their solar production credits to benefit the Energy Assist (EAP) for the next six months. Email invite will go out to all participants. Benefit Waive Fees varies No Disconnection for Non-payment varies Voluntary Disconnects No bill Energy Assist (EAP) COVID qualified $31.41 - $61.41/mo + $25/mo from Rock Island Energy Assist for Businesses (EAP-C) $67.57/mo + $25/mo from Rock Island Switch It Up payment deferrals Averages $75.50/mo Extend Project PAL Benefits $100 Community Solar Credits for COVID-19 Relief varies
This page is posted in accordance with Proclamation 20-23.5 with a posting date of July 6, 2020. The information is presented by General Manager and approved by the board.