Deadline extended for countywide utility assistance program
EL CENTRO — The application deadline has been extended for a countywide utility assistance program, through which residents can receive assistance with delinquent water, sewer and trash bills.
The deadline was originally set for Feb. 12; however, cities have been allowed to continue accepting applications for another two weeks at a minimum, county of Imperial’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Rouhotas Jr. said Wednesday.
The county is overseeing the program, which is being funded by the Imperial County Coronavirus Relief Fund.
A total of $940,000 has been allocated to the cities and special water districts that service the local community, Rouhotas said.
“We want to maximize the people able to be assisted with this program, so we have let the cities continue to accept applications,” Rouhotas said. “We may extend beyond this if needed.”
This program was created and opened to residents in December.
With the deadline extension, the timeframe the program covers has also been extended.
Previously, the program assisted only residents with delinquent payments that occurred due to COVID-19 between March and Nov. 30.
Now, delinquent payments that occurred from March to Dec. 29 can be covered.
In order to qualify for the program, residents must provide documentation of proof of job loss or proof of reduction in hours due to COVID.
This should be submitted with a two-page application, which asks for basic information, such as name, address and account number, as well as a valid ID for a city utility account holder and a copy of a past due utility bill.
Additionally, to be eligible for the program, residents must be below the median income for Imperial County. The maximum income for families of one to three persons is $63,650, while it is $77,750 for families of four or more persons.
Families of one to three persons qualify for up to $750 in assistance through the program, while families of four or more persons qualify for up to $1,000 in assistance.
While some cities have the application on their website, more information on how to obtain an application can be provided by contacting each city via telephone.
Rouhotas said he could not provide an exact number on how many applicants have qualified for the program as of Wednesday.
The city of El Centro reported that, as of Tuesday, it has 465 accounts that are delinquent by more than three months.
Of those 465 accounts, 50 people applied for the program, but only 41 qualified, the city’s director of finance, Richard L. Romero, explained.
“We do not understand what’s going on with the lack of action by delinquent customers,” Romero said. “We urge all delinquent customers to contact our customer service
division.”
Furthermore, the city will begin disconnections of delinquent water accounts starting March 16. The city previously had a temporary suspension on disconnects.
As of Feb. 3, the city of Imperial had 47 outstanding accounts
that qualified for assistance. The city provided $19,001.46 through the program to assist these accounts.
“We ask anyone interested in participating in this program to please submit their applications,” Assistant City Manager Alexis L. Brown said.