Frequently asked questions
This bill credit program is called The Washington Families Clean Energy Credits Grant Program.
The Washington Families Clean Energy Credits Grant Program is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
The Washington state Department of Commerce will distribute grants to electric utility companies in Washington, enabling the utility companies to pass on $200 bill credits to eligible customer accounts.
Promise is partnered with the WA Dept of Commerce to help get clean energy bill credits out to eligible households. For more information, visit: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/program-index/washington-families-clean-energy-credits-grant-program/
The Clean Energy Credits for WA Families are based on available funds for eligible accounts. This program is coming to a close so we are not accepting any new applications. All existing applications will be processed and we will send a text message to let you know if there are funds remaining and if you will receive the credit. If your utility has used all of their available funds, that means that no more credits can be awarded.
Residential electric utility accounts in Washington state that qualify as low-to moderate income are eligible for this one-time $200 bill credit. Credit awards are limited to one per household. Please note that low-income households will be prioritized and credit awards are only available as funds remain.
Low-to moderate income is determined by the average median income per county, and by household size. Low-income households earn 80% or less than the AMI (Area Median Income), while Moderate-income households earn 150% or less than the AMI.
If your electric utility is partnering with Promise for customers to apply through this portal, your application will be processed and we will send you a text message to let you know the results.
This is a one-time $200 credit for eligible residential electric utility accounts. If your application is awarded the credit or you received a text message that you were pre-qualified for the credit, it will be applied to your electric bill no later than September 15, 2024.
The increasing expense of utility bills for many households in Washington presents a significant obstacle for residents as the state transitions toward a clean energy future. The bill credits are to help alleviate the costs for these households.
To apply for the credit, you will need to enter the county that the account is in, the number of people in your household as of today, and the total gross (pre-tax) annual income for last year (2023) for all current adult household members.
You don't need to apply if you received a text message that your account was pre-qualified and the credit would be added to your utility account balance.
Gross 2023 annual income for the household is the total income last year, before taxes or deductions, for all adults in the current household. Do not include any minors’ income. For self-employment income, total the income amounts on each form (e.g., 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC). If the household has more than one form, combine the total income from all forms. Total all business expenses associated with each form which you have kept track of and subtract that from the total income.
Income that counts (include the following to determine income):
- Wages and salaries before any deductions, including tips and gratuities
- Self-employment income (after deducting business expenditures)
- Contract income
- Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits (excluding MediCare deductions)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Payments from mortgage or Sales Contracts
- Unemployment insurance
- Strike pay
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Retirement/pension benefits
- General Assistance benefits
- Cash gifts
- Jury duty compensation
- Rental income
- Child support
- Alimony
- Interest, dividends or royalties
- Commissions
- Legal settlements
- Insurance payments made directly to the insured
- Funds received by household for the care of a foster child
- Ride share income
- Sale of personal items
- In kind exchange
Yes, if the electric utility account is in the name of someone in your household, you can apply for the credit. If the account is in the name of the landlord (not any of the tenants), a tenant can apply if they are responsible for paying the electric utility bill.
If a qualifying tenant’s household information is used to obtain a credit, that household must receive the full benefit of the credit. For example, if the electricity expense is included in the rent, the account owner, landlord or property manager must apply the $200 credit they received to the rent obligation.
No, the self-attestation application requires you to state that your income meets specific requirements. You do not need to submit supporting documentation.
All immigrants who meet the program eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
To look up your account please:
- Select your electric utility from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your residential electric utility account/customer number as it is shown on the bill (please include any hyphens, spaces or decimals).
- Enter the billing/mailing address associated with the account. This is the address where your electricity bill is sent, which might differ from the service address.
- Enter the billing/mailing ZIP code associated with the account. This is the address where your electricity bill is sent, which might differ from the service address ZIP code.
If you apply and are ultimately awarded the credit, your electric utility will be notified and the credit will be applied to your electric bill no later than September 15, 2024. We will send you a text message when the credit is added to your electric utility account.
No action required! Check the account number in the text message. If it is your account and the message states that you are prequalified, the credit will be applied to your electric bill no later than September 15, 2024.
No, an approved or pre-qualified application for the bill credit does NOT protect the account from disconnection. Even if your bill credit application is approved, you must continue to pay all balances directly to the electric utility.
Please contact your electric utility directly. Promise for Washington State Department of Commerce can not answer any questions that are not related to the Clean Energy Credits for Washington Families program.
Please contact your electric utility directly for more information about how you can apply for the credit through the utility.