Puget Sound Energy, mindful of cold weather during the recently concluded winter season, reminds customers that help is available to pay their heating bills.

By February, more than 18,000 PSE customers had received $8 million in assistance through the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and from PSE’s own Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP), and more than $10 million remained available to income-eligible households that need help with their bills, PSE officials said.

Depending on income and household size, a qualified recipient can receive up to $1,000 from HELP.

Additional information is available from PSE  at 1-866-223-5425 and its website.

Another program, the Salvation Army Warm Home Fund, helps PSE customers who need emergency, short-term utility bill assistance. Through voluntary contributions from PSE customers and employees, the fund this past winter was the largest since it began in 1982, raising more than $704,000 and serving more than 2,700 households. PSE customers can contact their nearest Salvation Army district office for more information.