Chapter 13.16
SENIOR AND DISABLED CITIZENS DISCOUNT REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
13.16.030 Eligibility for senior citizen low-income and/or disabled low-income rate.
13.16.040 Claim filing requirements.
13.16.050 False claim – Penalty.
13.16.010 Definitions.
(1) “Direct billing customer” means a person or household who is directly billed for and responsible for payment to the city for utility service charges.
(2) “Income” means disposable income as that term is defined in RCW 84.36.383.
(3) “Indirect billing customer” means a person or household who is not directly billed for city utility service charges but pays for the services indirectly to a landlord, maintenance association or other third party. This also includes multifamily units that are billed under one utility service. (Ord. 1437, 2008)
13.16.020 Rate relief.
There is granted to persons who meet the qualifications and requirements of WMC 13.16.030 and 13.16.040 relief from the city’s sewer service charges in the following circumstances:
(1) Direct Billing Customer. All billings by the city to direct billing customers who meet the qualifications and requirements of WMC 13.16.030 and 13.16.040 shall be reduced by 20 percent for sewer services as prescribed by the city’s sewerage rate ordinance then in effect.
(2) Indirect Billing Customer. All billings paid by indirect billing customers, to the landlord, maintenance association or other third party, who meet the qualifications and requirements of WMC 13.16.030 and 13.16.040 may apply for the 20 percent rebate for sewer services. (Ord. 1437, 2008)
13.16.030 Eligibility for senior citizen low-income and/or disabled low-income rate.
The occupant of a single-family dwelling unit, duplex, multifamily complex or mobile home park shall be eligible for the rate reduction under the following conditions:
(1) The dwelling unit must be occupied by the person claiming eligibility as his or her principal place of residence for the previous six months. The first six months of occupancy are not eligible for a rate reduction or rebate.
(2) The person claiming the rate must be the head of the household for the dwelling unit in question.
(3) The person claiming eligibility for the reduced rate or rebate must qualify in one of the following categories:
(A) Low-Income Senior Citizen. “Low-income senior citizen” means a person who is 62 years of age or older and whose total income including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 84.36.381(5)(b)(ii), as now or hereafter amended.
(B) Low-Income Disabled Citizen. “Low-income disabled citizen” means a person whose income, including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant, does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 70.164.020(4) and:
(i) A person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f);
(ii) A blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020; or
(iii) A disabled, handicapped or incapacitated person as defined under any other existing state or federal program. (Ord. 1437, 2008)
13.16.040 Claim filing requirements.
(1) All claims for relief requested pursuant to this chapter must be filed with the clerk’s department of the city during the time periods as follow and on the appropriate form provided by the city clerk’s office:
(A) Eligible direct billing customers who file a claim for a billing reduction at any time during the calendar year shall be eligible for a reduction in their billing effective as soon thereafter as their claim may be administratively reviewed, approved, and processed.
(B) Eligible indirect billing customers’ claim for a rebate shall be made annually and filed between January 2nd and February 28th of the year following the period for which the reduction is claimed. (Ord. 1437, 2008)
13.16.050 False claim – Penalty.
Upon determination by the city that any person has knowingly filed a false claim for utility service reduction, the claim shall be denied and such person, and all other persons residing in his or her dwelling unit, shall forfeit their eligibility for a utility service discount. (Ord. 1437, 2008)
13.16.060 Severability.
It is the intention of the city council that each separate provision of this chapter shall be deemed independent of all other provisions, and it is further the intention of the city council that if any provision of this chapter is declared invalid, all other provisions thereof shall remain valid and enforceable. (Ord. 1437, 2008)