FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

WHAT IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY SHUT OFF NOTICE?

  • SNAP can provide Emergency assistance for households in danger of losing heat or power. To see if emergency help is available for your household, call SNAP 509-456-SNAP (7627).

WHAT IF I HAVE A LARGE NEGATIVE BALANCE ON MY AVISTA ACCOUNT?

  • SNAP may be able to help with arrearage forgiveness or management and additional help using other grants.

WHAT IF I USUALLY RECEIVE HEATING OIL? WOOD? OTHER DELIVERABLES?

  • Regular Energy Assistance is still available.
  • SNAP will continue to open Energy appointments each month, on the third Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. (as funding allows) beginning September 19, 2023.
  • If you still need Energy assistance, you can make an appointment on our webpage www.snapenergyassistance.org or by calling 509-242-2376 on these appointment dates. 

WHAT IF MY HEAT IS INCLUDED IN MY RENT?

  • See answer above.

HOW LONG IS THE DISCOUNT FOR?

  • The discount will stay the same for two years unless your household income or size changes. If there are changes, please contact SNAP. 
  • For households with fixed income, the enrollment may be extended up to four years, if the income is verified.

DO I HAVE TO RE-ENROLL AFTER THE FIRST TWO YEARS? 

  • Yes, you do need to re-enroll.

HOW DO I RE-ENROLL?

  • Contact SNAP by visiting our website HERE, calling our office 509-456-SNAP (7627), or stopping by an office and filling out a paper application. You can also contact Avista directly to enroll HERE.

DO I HAVE TO VERIFY MY INCOME SO I CAN GET THE DISCOUNT?

  • Avista will verify randomly chosen households monthly to ensure customers are getting the right discount. If your household is picked for verification, you will be notified by Avista and have 90 days to contact SNAP and provide the needed information to keep getting the discount.  

DO I HAVE TO SHOW ANY PAPERWORK TO GET THE DISCOUNT?

  • Only an application is needed to enroll and get the discount. This can be done on our webpage, via phone, or at a SNAP office.
  • If your household is picked for verification, you will be notified by Avista and have 90 days to contact SNAP and provide the necessary information to keep getting the discount.
  • If you are an Avista customer who got SNAP Energy Assistance since October 2021, you will be automatically enrolled to receive the discount.

WILL I STILL GET A GRANT AWARD?

  • Regular Energy Assistance is still available.
  • SNAP will continue to open Energy appointments each month, on the third Tuesday of the month at 8am (as funding allows) beginning September 19th, 2023.
  • If you still need Energy assistance, you can make an appointment on our webpage www.snapenergyassistance.org or by calling 509-242-2376 on appointment dates. 

WHAT IF I AM ON A FIXED INCOME?  

  • SNAP can verify your information, including proof of fixed income, and extend your enrollment to a Four-year period.