24.10.060 Emergency assistance program.
A. The utilities department may grant eligible direct billing customers, metered for a single household, emergency assistance of 100 percent reduction for up to four months of the aggregate of the minimum water, sewer and storm drainage service charges pursuant to BCC 24.10.020(C), (D) and (E) as prescribed by the city’s water, sewerage and storm drainage rate ordinances then in effect and disconnection and reconnection fees. Direct billing customers, metered for a single household, qualify under the following criteria:
1. Total household income does not exceed 50 percent of median income for the last 30 days for the FMR area as defined in BCC 24.10.030; and
2. Have experienced a financial shock as described in subsection B of this section which may lead to a financial crisis if not resolved; and
3. Have completed an emergency assistance program application on a form provided by the utilities department where income eligibility and proof of hardship are verified.
B. “Financial shock” is defined as a recent, unexpected event or expense that threatens financial stability and, if not solved, may lead to a financial crisis. Utility service charges do not constitute a financial shock subject to emergency assistance under this chapter. A threat to a household’s financial stability is anything that interferes with the ability of a household to cover necessary basic needs expenses, such as housing, utilities, food, health and/or other necessary expenses. To qualify for emergency assistance under this chapter, a program applicant must be able to provide documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the unexpected event or unforeseen expense has negatively impacted the household’s financial stability.
C. The emergency assistance program application shall be certified by the applicant that, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, all information provided therein is true and correct. The utilities department reserves the right to audit any application to ensure eligibility and compliance with this chapter. The department may deny any application which contains any false or misleading representation of fact or may revoke eligibility for rate relief which was procured by fraud or by any false or misleading representation of fact in the application. Any funds reimbursed or the difference in rates discounted as a result of fraud or false or misleading representation of fact by the applicant shall be returned to the city. The city may use any lawful means necessary to seek repayment of said funds.
D. A qualifying customer may receive the emergency assistance only one time in any three-year period. (Ord. 6473 § 3, 2019; Ord. 6451 § 2, 2019.)