Title
Annual Review of the Utilities Assistance Program (UAP)
Body
As Utility costs increase, the burden on lower-income households becomes increasingly challenging to manage. The “Energy Assistance Program” was initially intended to provide heating assistance to low-income customers through the winter months. In 2015, the program was expanded to provide year-round assistance to Senior Citizens (over 65), to add water to eligible services, and one-time assistance to households demonstrating unusual and unanticipated hardship. Accordingly, the program was renamed the “Utilities Assistance Program”. In 2019, further expansion of the program was approved to include year-round assistance to account holders qualified through the Social Security Administration as disabled or eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This change also expanded the assistance program to include sewer charges.
The purpose of the UAP is to assist qualified low-income residential customers of the Utility during the periods of October 1 through March 31, or year-round for citizens over age 65 or account holders qualified through the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or one-time assistance to account holders who demonstrate need due to unforeseen and unusual circumstances. Funding is provided voluntarily by customers.
Assistance is limited by the amount of contributions. The Utility shall attempt to distribute assistance based on need. Assistance provided will be up to 30% of the customer’s average bill for electricity, gas, water, and sewer consumption during the previous winter months of October through March, with a maximum of $138.00 per month and a minimum of $17.00 per month.
A single lump sum assistance credit may be applied to a qualified customer’s bill if they have a demonstrated need due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., layoff, illness, major household repairs) and are at risk of having their utility services turned off for non-payme...
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