Utility Assistance
Call 211 or visit 211's energy bill assistance website here to find the most current information about utility assistance resources.
Oregon Energy Fund - provides funds for energy assistance to 30+ partner agencies and nonprofits throughout Oregon. Visit the website below to search for electric and natural gas assistance available by zip code. https://www.oregonenergyfund.org/energy-assistance
Social Service Organizations in Multnomah County providing a variety of Utility Assistance Supports:
- NAYA's Energy Assistance Program
- St. Vincent De Paul Utility Help
- Impact NW Energy Assistance
- Our Just Future Utility Assistance (formerly Human Solutions)
- El Programa Hispano Catolico Energy Assistance
- Self Enhancement Inc. Energy Assistance
Electric Assistance
- Income-Qualified Bill Discount program provides ongoing, monthly help with your PGE bill that’s in addition to any other assistance you may be getting from other agencies.
- Options are available if you need help paying your electric bill.
- Please contact us at 1-888-221-7070 to discuss options for your account.
- Pacific Power partners with Oregon Energy Fund, a nonprofit agency, to offer energy assistance to residents with donated funds.
Contact 211 Info for access to either of the Energy Assistance program listed below:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible families and individuals pay their energy bills. The program opens to the general public in December, but special outreach is provided in October and November to seniors, the disabled and households with children under age six.
Oregon Energy Assistance Program
- OEAP is a year-round assistance program funded by a state-mandated charge added to all PGE customers’ bills.
Natural Gas
- Customers may be able to receive assistance and choose several grant options available to help with a past-due balance. This new program provides instant grants of up to $300 and even more options for larger balances. A grant can be used to help offset the cost of a payment plan or pay off a past-due account balance.
Water Discounts
Portland Water Bureau
- Financial Assistance Brochure - English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese
- Portland Water Bureau Bill Discount Program
- Portland Water Bureau Crisis Assistance
Internet and Phone Service
Search Engine - Universal Service Admin. Co. offers a search engine that can locate "Companies Near Me" that offer Lifeline (phone) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (internet). Click here to access the search engine. More information about both of these programs is listed below:
Comcast Internet Essentials Program (Internet)
Low cost internet service.
Affordable Connectivity Program (Internet)
This federal program provides a discount of $30 per month towards internet service for eligible households. Enrollment is open to households with at least one qualifying individual who has an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, participates in SNAP, Medicaid (OHP), SSI, WIC or Lifeline, or receives benefits under the free and reduced price school lunch program.
TruConnect (Phone)
Wireless phone service that offers high speed data, unlimited talk and text, plus a free Android smartphone at no cost to qualifying customers.
Oregon Lifeline (Phone & Internet)
Discounted phone and internet service.
Qlink Wireless (Phone)
Free unlimited data, talk & text. Bring your own phone or upgrade to a new one and get free cell phone service every month.
Provides veterans with a free phone and year of paid phone service.
Furniture Resource
Community Warehouse is a furniture bank that collects donated home goods and works with social service agencies to get those goods in the hands of those who need furniture.
- Applicants must be referred by a case manager or advocate who has been to the Community Warehouse orientation.
- Current access fee information can be found here - https://www.communitywarehouse.org/partner-agencies/
- Community Warehouse offers furniture delivery for an additional fee.
- Virtual appointments are available, where both the client and case manager attend the appointment virtually with a Community Warehouse staff person. There is an additional fee for this service.
- Multnomah County IDD does not have funding to pay for the access or delivery fee's at this time but can assist by referring households to the program. A referral from a social service agency is necessary to access furniture.
May be a resource depending on where the tenant resides. Visit the Find Your Love Inc website to find a location in your area. There is not currently a Love Inc in Multnomah County, however, there are locations in Tigard, Hillsboro and Oregon City.
Their mission is to provide assistance to families with special medical circumstances. The assistance they deliver is focused to benefit the family as a whole, and is specific to the unique and individual needs of that family, in that set of circumstances. At Good Deeds we assist families to continue with previously routine expenses during their difficult time, and they take care of some of the new expenses that come with the situation. In addition to direct financial support, they frequently provide assistance with donated goods and services from local area businesses and individuals. Making community connections for these families allows members of the community to donate their special goods/services at no charge and fill an instant need in the community.
Helping Hands Ministry - Furniture Program
HOURS OF OPERATION: Noon to 2:00 pm every Second and Fourth Saturday.
Our goal is to provide free furniture and household goods (kitchen supplies, linens, bedding, towels, beds, chairs, tables, shelving, etc.) to anyone in need to use in their own home. Contact: Bill Benson for further information on the Furniture and Household Goods Program, Cell: 503-209-0933. St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church 2310 SE 148th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97233
OHP Flex Funds
OHP members enrolled in a CCO may be able to get items or services not covered by regular OHP benefits to help them stay healthy. These are called flexible services (or flex funds). Members can reach out to their CCO to ask for these services and the CCO will decide to approve or not approve them. Spending on flexible services is optional, so CCOs are not required to provide flexible services. To learn more about flexible services, please view the flexible services website and this fact sheet in English or Spanish.
Heating and Cooling Resources
- City of Portland - How to Request a Cooling Unit - Call 311 to be placed on a list for cooling units in the city of Portland. [updated 6/14/24]
- Washington County - Community Action Portable AC Program
- Oregon Health Authority - Air Conditioner and Air Filter Program
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