Title
Review of the Utilities Assistance Program (UAP)
Body
As Utilities costs increase, the burden on lower income households becomes increasingly difficult to manage. The “Energy Assistance Program” was originally intended to provide heating assistance to low-income customers through the winter months. In 2015 the program was expanded to provide year around 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 provide assistance to 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 from 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 consumption of water, gas, electric and sewer during the previous winter months of October through March, with a maximum of $138.00 assistance per month and a minimum of $17.00 assistance 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, etc.) and are in danger of their u...
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