General Overview
The financial assistance program is limited to eligible single family residential customer accounts including individuals who are Connecticut Water customer and reside in a condominium unit.
Eligibility is based on income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines.
Customers will be qualified utilizing the enclosed Eligibility Verification Authorization.
Connecticut Water will need to receive the completed Eligibility Verification Authorization signed by the local agency before assistance can be provided to customers who otherwise qualify for the program.
We do not anticipate limiting the number of times an eligible person may participate in the program, but will require an eligibility review annually or require the individual to reapply.
Information will be included on shutoff notices and through our office and field customer service representatives about the state’s 211 Infoline and where to find local agency contacts.
Customers participating in the program will be offered free water conservation kits, conservation education materials, and leak dye tablets to find silent toilet leaks to make sure they are not using more water than they need to. A service representative can be sent to the customer’s premises to check for leaks if the customer needs additional assistance.
Customers Meeting Income Eligibility Verification Criteria
Upon agency determination of eligibility, and CWC approval, the Company will:
The customer will only be responsible for keeping the scheduled payment arrangement on the past due balance. The credit will be applied as a one–for-one match as the payments are made. The customer will be expected to keep current on new bills as they are incurred during the time of the payment arrangement.
Customers are required to reapply annually so that income levels and eligibility can be re-verified. The Parties will set a uniform date upon which re-verification or reapplication will be determined.
Example of Payment Assistance for Customer on Deferred Payment Arrangement (DPA) Plan:
|
Balance Past Due
$300 Balance. Payment Arrangement once monthly for three months
|
Customer Payment Based on Agreed Payment Arrangement |
Company Matching Credit to Customer Payment |
Remaining Balance Due |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Customer Payment #1 |
$50 |
$ 50 |
$200 |
|
Customer Payment #2 |
$50 |
$ 50 |
$100 |
|
Customer Payment #3 |
$50 |
$ 50 |
$0 |
|
TOTAL PAID By Customer |
$150 |
|
|
|
TOTAL PAID By Company |
|
$150 |
|
One-Time Customer Hardship Assistance Program
We have developed an additional program for customers who have consistently met their obligation but are experiencing a one-time financial hardship or a life changing event that put their account in arrears. Assistance is available under a one-time hardship program even if the customer does not meet income eligibility criteria for other program. This can be for all or part of the balance due on their water bill.
Customers who contact the company will be directed to the local social service agency for access to the H2O Customers Program, and to determine if they are eligible for other programs or assistance.
Likewise, if a local social service agency is working with an individual who does not meet the H2O program eligibility guidelines, but needs one-time assistance, the agency may offer them access to CWC’s one-time customer hardship assistance program.
In either situation, a credit in the amount of the assistance would be issued directly to the customer’s account.
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