TUCSON (KVOA) – Tucson Water is looking to serve more families in need with an expansion of its service program for low-income families.
Last June, the Tucson City Council approved different rates for customers residing in unincorporated Pima County.
Tucson Water hopes this expansion of the low-income program will help customers inside and outside the city limits.
With this latest program, customers are no longer required to provide a social security number for each person living in the household. Instead, they will certify themselves how many people live in the house.
If customers can show they participate in government assistance programs like Section 8, the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, or SNAP or Head Start, they can qualify for a 25 percent discount.
Tucson Water uses the state poverty line as the basis for who qualifies.
“We give up to a 25, 50 or 75 percent discount on water bills if they meet certain income criteria, depending on how many people live in the household,” said Silvia Amparano, associate director of Tucson Water. “If they’re approved, they get a monthly rebate on their bill for at least a year. Fixed-income individuals may be eligible for up to three years.”
Last week, the city council approved an emergency hardship fund for customers facing a temporary crisis such as losing a job, being hospitalized or the death of the main breadwinner in the home. These people may qualify for $150 to help with water bills.
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