Community Services Department

Director: Dalia Ochoa e-mail:  dochoa@bfcac.org

Pasco Office:  720 West Court Street Upstairs, Pasco WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-4042   Fax (509) 544-9598

Prosser Office: 424 6th Street Suite#2, Prosser, WA 99350
Phone: (509) 786-3379   Fax (509) 786-3359

 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The LIHEAP program is a federally funded program that assists eligible applicants with heating costs for low-income households below 150% of the FPL dealing with financial challenges of increasing energy bills. Energy Assistance can assist with electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood and /or if heat is included in rent in the Benton and Franklin Counties.

STATE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHEAP)

The SHEAP program is a state funded program through the Climate Commitment Act, that assists low-income eligible applicants with home electric energy needs. SHEAP assists households whose income are at or below 80% of the area median income level.

ONLY the SHEAP program makes energy assistance available to low-income qualifed households who live in either Benton or Franklin County regardless of Citizenship or Residency status.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO APPLY FOR LIHEAP OR SHEAP PLEASE PRESS HERE.

Helping Hands-Funds are donated by local community members through their utility statement and collected through their utility companies. Funds are disbursed to CAC in which recipients must be below the federal poverty limits set forth by the utility companies for customers pending disconnection or disconnected for non-payment.

The following utility companies provide this program to their customers: BENTON PUD, FRANKLIN PUD, BIG BEND ELECTRIC, CITY OF KENNEWICK and CITY OF RICHLAND

BENTON PUD assists customers that are below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level with current utility statements. 

Senior and Disabled Discounts-Discounts are provided through local utility companies for low-income senior and disabled customers. Qualifications vary from utility company to utility company. Senior and Disabled discount applications are made available at local utility companies listed below: BENTON PUD, CITY OF RICHLAND, CITY OF PROSSER and CITY OF CONNELL.

Prescription Assistance

Prescription assistance is available for individuals who do not have means to pay and/or do not have medical insurance that covers prescription. Amount of assistance provided through the prescription program is determined on a case-by-case basis with funding restrictions that are not to exceed the maximum $200 limit allowed by program. 

Cascade Natural Gas provides assistance to customers through the  CARES and Winter Help Programs. These programs provide assistance to low-income customers of CNG with utility discounts and arrearage assistance for customers that are below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or 80% Area Median Income guidelines.

Energy Utility/Vendor Conservation Programs

Qualified customers from Benton PUD, and City of Richland may receive rebates for installing energy conservation measures in their home. Community Action Connections determines income eligibility through program criteria set forth by utility/vendors.

Diaper Assistance

The Tri-Cities Diaper Bank collects diapers through community diaper drives and partners with local agencies who distribute to infants in need through established programs and guidelines. Contact Community Action Connections for diaper assistance criteria.

  • Diaper appointments are available only on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.
  • Appointments times starting after 10:30 a.m. no later than 11:30 a.m. and again starting at 2:30 p.m.
  • Up to 5 appointments a day
  • Each appointment is to be kept at a minimal of 15 minutes each.
  • Client is to provide identifcation to pick up diapers.

NOTE: Keep in mind diaper are available upon availability

Basic Food Applications and Renewals

CAC assists applicants in submitting their Basic Food application, as well as assisting in the renewal application process through DSHS.

Information Referral

Information, referrals and advocacy relating to community, county and state resources and programs are provided as needed.  You may receive a copy of the Home Base Connections Resource Guidebook in English and Spanish.

Landlord Tenant Rights 

Printed materials on this subject are available in the office. Limited information is provided over the telephone regarding landlord/tenant information, and referrals are made when appropriate