No one knows for sure what this coming winter will bring in terms of cold temperatures, but for some Washington Electric Utilities customers who may need help paying heating-related bills, that help is available.

That assistance is in the form of Project HELP, offered by Washington Electric Utilities. The city partners with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army to operate the program. Those two agencies decide who will receive help from the program. Those selected to receive assistance do not receive cash to apply toward their utility bills. Applicants are screened, based on need, to determine if they will receive assistance.

The recipients are given vouchers, which they provide to the city. The vouchers are applied to customers’ utility bills. This system ensures the money is spent to meet energy needs and not on anything else.

Project HELP provides options to help those who face challenges in paying their heating or cooling bills, said City Manager Bobby Roberson. “It’s a popular program. It’s a great program,” said Roberson, adding that the city has offered the program for about 10 years.

Project HELP raises money to provide that assistance in three ways. First, Washington Electric Utilities customers may round up their utility bills to the nearest dollar amount, with the difference between the amount of the bill and the rounded-up dollar amount going to Project HELP. Second, a Washington Electric Utilities customer may make a lump-sum donation to Project HELP. Third, a Washington Electric Utilities customer may designate a specific amount to be added to his or her monthly utility bill, with that designated amount going to Project HELP.

Contributions are tax deductible.

The city’s electric fund donates $10,000 a year to Project HELP, said Matt Rauschenbach, the city’s chief financial officer and assistant city manager, in a previous interview. The city allocates $5,000 to Project HELP in July of each year for use during hot months and $5,000 in December for use during cold months, according to Rauschenbach.

Roberson said he believes the program’s current funding level meets needs, but it could be in line for an increase. “I think we’re pretty close. I would to see, maybe, a little bit of an increase. We haven’t put that much emphasis on it because we’re in the process of changing over our software, but I think once we get that behind us, that is a good program. We get a lot of input from The Salvation Army. They’re big players for us,” Roberson said. “They help us out a lot with the program.”

The Project HELP allocation is listed in the city’s annual financial report as “utility assistance contribution.” The city allocates $5,000 to Project HELP in July of each year for use during hot months and $5,000 in December for use during cold months, according to Rauschenbach.

Utility customers contribute slightly over $4,000 during a 12-month period, which equates to about $340 a month, according to Rauschenbach.

For more information about Project HELP, call the City of Washington at 252-975-9300 or stop by City Hall, 102 E. Second St., Washington.