Clark Public Utilities’ program to provide hundreds of dollars of utility credits to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be well-needed as more than $3 million has been distributed for those financially impacted.
As of Dec. 29, CPU’s Pandemic Relief program distributed about $3.4 million of its $5 million total to customers in Clark County, according to Clark Public Utilities Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline. Daline said almost 8,000 households received assistance through the program as of Dec. 29 and several hundred payment matches were also distributed.
Those who meet the requirements can receive a one-time bill credit of up to $750. On top of that, customers with remaining balances can receive up to $500 in matching credit from the utility for any additional past-due charges.
Daline said the utility distributed more than $450,000 in the first day and was able to hit $1 million within the first few days. He said the average credit amount has been just over $400 per household.
“We knew there was a need, but seeing the money go to accounts that need it and that qualify for it has been really incredible,” Daline said.
Those with balances that are 30 days or more past due and who have an income not more than
225% of the federal poverty level for three months since March 2020 are eligible. The impact on income must be related to the pandemic in order to receive assistance. The three months in the income guidelines do not need to be consecutive.
Daline said the utility has heard or read from numerous customers who had received relief from the program.
“Being able to help them and know their stories, and know that the people being helped by this program are really appreciative of it and really need it because they’ve been impacted so much by COVID has been incredible,” Daline said.
Daline recounted hearing from a customer service representative who spoke to an individual that received the full $750 credit. The individual is a caregiver to two disabled adult children who was able to completely clear their balance after being impacted by COVID-19-related job loss, “just one story out of many” CPU hears.
“We know our customers have had a really hard time because of COVID with so many people having lost jobs or having lost income,” Daline said. “Knowing that the program that we were able to put together, that our commissioners had put aside for, (has made) a big impact, especially around Christmastime, has been really great.”
Among the utility’s other programs for payment assistance — ranging from a senior rate credit, its Guarantee of Service Plan which bases payments off of income, and through the implementation of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — Daline said the pandemic assistance program is focused on those who don’t qualify for the other ways to pay down their balances. He said about 40% of customers who received the credit had not received any form of utility assistance in the past.
Based on past-due balances, Daline said about 20,000 to 25,000 could be eligible, though income guidelines weren’t known before the application period started.
As of Dec. 29, there was still more than $1 million left to distribute. Daline said given the response, it isn’t likely to last long.
“The program is available as long as funds are there, but it may not be that much longer,” Daline said.
Clark Public Utilities Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti said even those who don’t need the assistance should see if friends or family might be eligible, even if talking about money is generally an awkward prospect.
“We all know of someone who was out of a job for a while due to this pandemic, and it’s obviously never good for the household finances, so maybe those folks just need a little extra nudge to call us,” Pesanti said.
