Chapter 1.20
LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND LOW-INCOME PERMANENTLY DISABLED CITIZENS
Sections:
1.20.010 Eligibility for low-income senior citizen status or low-income permanently disabled citizen status.
A. Definitions.
“Direct billing customer” means a person or household who is directly billed for and responsible for payment to the city for utility service charges.
“Effective date” shall be the first billing cycle after the application is completed and accepted by the city. (Example: The billing cycle ends on the twenty-first of every month, so an application received on March 1st will be effective for the cycle beginning March 22nd.)
“Income” means total gross household income of all people living in the household. This includes, but is not limited to, wages, interest from savings and bonds, annuities, Social Security, retirement benefits, supplemental security income (SSI), Social Security or private disability income, veteran’s benefits, Labor and Industry benefits, etc., without adjustment for any business or other losses or expenses.
“Indirect billing customer” means a person or household who is not directly billed for city utility services, but for which some or all of such charges are paid by a landlord or maintenance association on behalf of the occupant.
B. Requirements.
1. A complete application must be received by the city annually by April 15th for discount to continue beyond the March billing cycle.
2. For direct billed customer as defined in subsection A of this section, account must be in applicant’s name.
3. For indirect billed customers, as defined in subsection A of this section, annual application must include a signed affidavit that the landlord or owner attests that the full benefit of the discount will be passed on to the applicant and if the applicant no longer resides at the service address, provide written notification to the city within five business days.
4. The request must be for the applicant’s primary and full-time residence, and shall not be provided on more than one property for any individual.
5. The specific discount amount for each utility type is listed in the following chapters:
|
Water |
WRMC Title 13, Division II |
|
Sewer |
WRMC Title 13, Division I |
|
Irrigation |
WRMC Title 13, Division III |
|
Garbage |
Chapter 8.04 WRMC |
|
Stormwater |
WRMC 13.80.065 |
C. Eligibility.
1. The applicant must certify under penalty of perjury on a form presented to the city finance director or designee that the applicant at the time of the claim of the exemption or deduction is no less than 61 years of age or is permanently disabled as determined by a physician, subject to verification by providing a completed affidavit for claim of disability form with a physician’s signature and office stamp or a physician signed and dated letter stating, “The applicant is permanently disabled in that the individual has lost both legs and arms or one leg and one arm, or total loss of eyesight, or is paralyzed or suffering from some other condition permanently incapacitating the applicant from ever performing any work at any gainful occupation.”
2. Applicant must also certify under penalty of perjury on a form presented to the city finance director or designee that the applicant at the time of the claim of the exemption or deduction is the head of household claiming the exemption and that the applicants and/or co-tenants for the previous calendar year had a total household income as defined in subsection A of this section that does not exceed the amount set forth by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as very low-income as follows:
a. For low income senior discount, the rate shall be fixed at the level stated for a two person household for the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco Metropolitan Service Area (MSA).
b. For low income permanently disabled discount, the rate shall be calculated at the level stated for applicant’s household size for the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco Metropolitan Service Area (MSA).
3. Income verification must be provided each year that the discounted rate is requested. The city finance director, or his/her designee, may require copies of the federal income tax return for the applicant, and the applicant’s spouse and/or co-tenants living at the same location.
4. Affidavit for claim of disability must be completed for first time applicants only.
5. The discount is granted for the duration of the calendar year, with the provision of a grace period at the beginning of the year to accommodate renewals. On April 15th of each year, all accounts without a current application on file at the city will be returned to the full rate schedule effective with the period beginning March 22nd (to be billed April 30th).
D. Other Information.
1. Determination of eligibility shall be made by the city finance director, or designee, based upon the information provided in the application.
2. Where differences of opinion exist regarding this section and the implementation thereof, the mayor or his/her designee shall make the final determination.
3. Any person signing a false claim or making false representations in order to and with the intent to secure reduced rates and fees, or other benefits available by virtue of low-income senior citizen status or low-income permanently disabled citizen status, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. [Ord. 27-16 § 1, 2016; Ord. 17-16 § 3, 2016; Ord. 22-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 40-06 § 1, 2006; Ord. 3-97 § 1, 1997; Ord. 28-95 § 1, 1995; Ord. 5-95 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2-89 § 1, 1989; Ord. 18-88 § 1, 1988; Ord. 492 § 1, 1982].