The Puyallup Tribe is partnering with the CITGO Petroleum Corporation for the third year in a row to provide local Indians with money to pay their electric bills.
The Tribe received $181,913 this year, in addition to about $50,000 remaining from last year, to give to families who qualify for either the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Puyallup Tribal Energy Program. Eligible families can receive up to $225 on top of these other forms of assistance to help pay for their energy needs.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in requests (for assistance) because of the economy,” said Talea Lopez, director of the Tribe’s Crisis Assistance Program. “A lot of people are laid off.”
The program began Jan. 15, which means eligible households can use the money toward their January 2010 energy bill.
Last year, the Tribe helped 735 families through the CITGO program. In 2008, 886 households received support. The grant could support upwards of 800 families again in 2010.
Ten percent of the CITGO funds will be used to support the Tribal social service program’s energy needs, such as the Elders Center.
The CITGO heating oil program began in 2005 in response to the decreased oil supply after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico region. The decreased supply led to increased oil prices, hurting many low-income families who struggled to pay heating bills.
Four years ago, CITGO began its tribal heating oil program, first by providing energy assistance to Alaska Natives in remote areas, where oil prices are much higher than in other regions. The program expanded to the Pacific Northwest last year.
“They just came together to help Native American tribes,” Talea Lopez said. “They contacted numerous tribes in the Pacific Northwest and we all met in Tulalip to hear what they wanted to offer all of the tribes.”
Today, CITGO provides assistance in 24 states and the District of Columbia. That assistance aids more than 200,000 households, and members of more than 200 Native American tribes.
To qualify for LIHEAP, local Native Americans must meet certain income requirements. The Puyallup Tribal Energy Program does not have income requirements, but is available only to Puyallup Tribal members or their legal guardians having trouble paying energy bills. Households qualifying for either program can also receive assistance through the CITGO program.
For more information on energy programs provided through the Puyallup Tribe, contact Talea Lopez at (253) 573-7989.
