Bill Pay Assistance Support

To renew you Energy Assist Credit, you must fill out a new application each year starting in April. Applications are available online. All Energy Assist participants are on the same renewal cycle, regardless of when they joined the program.

The program is year‐round, and you will need to renew your application each year by April 30th. To renew, simply fill out the online application again. Changes may be implemented with or without notice, include increasing or decreasing credits on the rate depending on the number of participants.

The Energy Assist program is not based on income, but simply participation in other programs that serve low-income households. If you participate in a program that is not listed on the application, please contact us to see if you qualify. If you do not participate in any other programs, we encourage you to contact your local family resource center or assistance agency to find out where you may qualify for help.

You must currently be on the standard Residential rate, be a year-round resident and have qualified for assistance through another program for low-income households. If you verify that you are active with another source of assistance, you will qualify for the Energy Assistance Credit. Once the application has been processed and approved, the rate will be effective on your next bill.

OPALCO members participating in the low income Energy Assist program (EAP) can get a $25 bill credit from Rock Island if they show the assistance amount on a copy of their bill.

Energy Assist (EAP) is funded through rates as a separate line item on each co‐op member’s monthly bill.  Everyone pays the Energy Assistance line item – even those who receive a credit.

Energy Assist (EAP) is year‐round - a credit on your bill every month. You need to renew your application each year by April 30^th.  Changes may be implemented with or without notice, include increasing or decreasing credits on the rate depending on the number of participants.

Eligibility for Energy Assist is not based on income, but simply participation in other programs that serve low-income households.  If you participate in a program that is not listed on the application, please contact us to see if you qualify.  If you do not participate in any other programs, we encourage you to contact your local family resource center to find out where you may qualify for help.

For 2023: 1-person household: $34.64/month 2-person household: $41.25/month 3-person household: $47.86/month 4-person household: $54.48/month 5-person household: $61.09/month 6+ person household: $67.71/month

OPALCO account numbers are on your power bill on the top right corner. You can also call 360-376-3500 to request your account number during business hours.

Call the OPALCO member service team at 360-376-3500.

Eligible members can get a Pal grant one time during each heating season (Nov-Apr). A member could get two Pal grants in a calendar year if, for example, they applied in March and also in November of the same year: two different Pal seasons.

Yes! If you receive a Pal grant, you are automatically eligible to apply for OPALCO’s monthly bill credit program, Energy Assist. With energy assist, you get a bill credit every month based on your household size.

Pal grants are administered by the OPALCO Member Services Team. Eligibility criteria include:

1. you are an active member of OPALCO for the 4 months prior to application.
2. you are a residential member.
3. you qualify for other assistance programs or have special circumstance affecting your household (such as hardships in health, employment or family status).

The majority of Pal funds come from donations from co-op members who round up their bill each month and/or make monthly donations.

Project Pal grants are awarded during the heating season (November-April). Complete the online application during the Pal season.