Press Release Archive
City makes plea for donations to utility
assistance fund; launches sign-up campaign for those who need
help
With summer approaching and with tough
economic times, the City of Austin made a plea today, June
3, for donations to the Utility Assistance Fund and listed
ways those in need can get some help.
The need for utility bill assistance traditionally
increases in summer months, but is already higher than normal
this year because of Austin's unemployment rate. Since January,
Travis County's unemployment has ranged at 5.5-5.7 percent,
the highest levels in 13 years. Last year at this time the
unemployment rate was 3 percent. From 1999 through early 2001
Travis County's unemployment rate averaged 2.3 percent.
Despite better times last year, emergency
utility bill assistance was provided to a record 2,034 Austin/Travis
County residents - a 90 percent increase over the previous
year. A record $478,523 was distributed, an almost 200 percent
increase over the year before.
The City of Austin provides about $150,000
each year for emergency utility bill assistance. Last summer,
funding ran out completely so the City contributed an additional
$150,000 on an emergency basis. Additional funding for utility
bill assistance depends on contributions from other City of
Austin electric and water users.
Traditionally, these users have donated
as much as $90,000 annually to help others. The last few years
that amount has decreased to $40,000.
"Austin has always proven to be a very
giving community that rallies around those in need,"
said City Manager Toby Hammett Futrell. "This is a request
that all of us who can help, make every effort to do so."
To donate, City of Austin utility customers
can simply include donations in utility bill payments and
write the amount on the bill payment stub on the line labeled
"Plus One Program." Also, donations may be mailed
separately with checks payable to: Customer Assistance Program,
P.O. Box 684368, Austin, TX 78768-4368. All donations to the
program are tax deductible.
The City of Austin's Customer Assistance
Program is the new name of the City's consolidated utility
bill assistance program.
This program includes Plus One as well as
other assistance to those who qualify:
 |
A waiver of the monthly $6 customer service charge.
|
|
A waiver of the Transportation User Fee if the customer
is 65 years or older or does not own or drive a vehicle.
|
|
Free home weatherization for qualifying low-income homeowners
and renters (who have lived in a rented home for at least
one year). |
|
A $500 voucher to replace inefficient, window air conditioning
units. |
Other assistance programs available to
all City of Austin water and electric customers, including
those with low incomes, are:
|
Free low-flush toilets and showerheads and rebates of
up to $100 for purchasing high-efficiency clothes washers
that use 40 percent less water. |
|
Budget Billing payment plans that allow customers
to pay the same amount each month based on their previous
12-month history. |
|
Low-interest loans or rebates on home energy improvements. |
Last October the City of Austin mailed
information about utility bill assistance to 26,000 families
and individuals in Travis County enrolled in county or state
assistance programs.
The City is requesting those who have not
signed up to do so. To see if you qualify for the Customer
Assistance Program call (512) 494-9400. Tell the Customer
Service Representative you want to sign up for the Customer
Assistance Program.
The City will mail information out annually
to those enrolled in other county and state assistance programs
to make them aware of its Customer Assistance Program.
City of Austin financial assistance with
utility bills is administered through area social service
agencies that administer other assistance programs. Residents
who need emergency help can apply to these agencies: Aids
Services of Austin, Any Baby Can, Capital Idea, Greater Mount
Zion Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Saint Mary's
Cathedral, Services for the Elderly, and Travis County Health
and Human Services Department.
Some state and federal funding may also
be available for utility bill assistance. That funding is
administered through the Travis County Health and Human Services
Department.
For more information, contact Ed
Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000 |
