Income Assistance

Business man hand holding lightbulb with using calculator to calculate and money stack. Ravalli Electric Cooperative offers resources to help our members keep the power on when times are tough. Please contact us or one of the resources listed below if you are having trouble paying your electric bill.

Delinquent accounts receive a past-due notice on their bill statement and are mailed a disconnect notice (which will be the final notification prior to being disconnected). We encourage our members to contact us prior to this point so we can determine the best way to assist you.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program “LIHEAP”

A portion of your home heating costs, as well as some emergency needs, may be met through LIHEAP.  Benefits are applied to the members’ primary heat source (electric, gas, wood, propane, etc.) for the winter heating months of October thru April. The member is responsible for usage prior to October 1st, as well as bills in excess of the LIHEAP benefit amount.

To be eligible, Co-op members must meet federal low-income guidelines based on gross yearly income and the number of persons in the home.

LIHEAP is funded by Federal and State government agencies (this is not welfare). Eligibility is based on gross income from all household members and the value of their resources. Primary homes, vehicles, and personal property are excluded. Benefit amounts are determined by total income and the number of household members, type of fuel used, and size, type, and location of the home. Payment processing may take 6 to 8 weeks.

Places to Apply

1801 South Higgins
Missoula MT 59801
(406) 728-3710
District XI Human Resource Council Website
Montanna Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Website

Serves counties: Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli

Energy Share

Energy Share benefits are a one-time grant to alleviate a temporary heating emergency. Eligibility is not based solely on income but also on the extenuating circumstances the household is facing.

Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants must first apply for LIEAP during the LIEAP season and have a delinquent bill before Energy Share will be considered.

A local Committee meets the first and third Wednesday of every month between September 19 and June 19 to review each application and make the final decisions on awarding benefits. Often applicants are required to pay a portion of the bill before Energy Share will help. The local Committee considers income, expenses, emergency situations, payment history on the account, and other factors when determining the benefit amount.

Contribute to Energy Share

Energy Share is funded mostly through private and corporate donations with some state funding. To contribute to Energy Share of Montana please visit the Energy Share of Montana Website.

Payment Arrangements

If you are unable to pay your bill, please contact our office to set up satisfactory payment arrangements to avoid disconnecting.

Without arrangements in place, if your account is 30 days past due, your service may be subject to disconnection.

Call our office at (406) 961-3001 to set up a payment arrangement.