Low-Income Customers to Benefit From New RWA Residential Water Assistance Program

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is partnering with Dollar Energy Fund to offer a new program aimed at assisting low-income customers in the RWA’s service territory pay their water bills.

Funded by the RWA, this new Residential Water Assistance Program will provide one-time annual assistance grants that will be applied directly to a qualifying customer’s RWA account. Grants of $80 will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding of $325,000 is depleted for RWA’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2017. Grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.

“Water is essential to life, and it is a resource no one should have to do without,” said Regional Water Authority President and CEO Larry L. Bingaman. “At the RWA, we are committed to providing high quality water and service to all of our customers and to the communities we serve. And, as good community citizens, we are there to lend a hand of support when times are tough. Programs like this one help further demonstrate our company’s higher purpose to deliver water for life.”

To qualify, RWA customers must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (currently, income of $2,531 per month or $30,375 per year for a family of four). The account must be in the name of an adult who is currently living in the home and be for a residential single home or apartment served by its own water line. Accounts in a landlord’s name or in the name of an adult not living at the service address do not qualify. Customers may apply regardless of collection status.

“We are proud to partner with the RWA to help them administer their new Residential Water Assistance Program to ensure qualified customers have access to reliable, high-quality water,” said Chad Quinn, chief executive officer of Dollar Energy Fund. “The RWA is a true example of a company that cares about the communities it serves as they led the push to develop this program for their low-income customers.”

The RWA and Dollar Energy Fund will work with a local network of community-based organizations to accept and process applications. Those who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for participation in the program by visiting a local agency partner. Agency locations can be identified by calling Dollar Energy at 1-800-375-1388, by visiting Dollar Energy’s Agency Finder (www.hardshiptools.org/AgencyFinder.aspx) or the Regional Water Authority’s website (www.rwater.com/customer-care/residential-water-assistance-program), or by calling the RWA at 203-562-4020.

For more information on the program, including full program guidelines, please visit www.dollarenergyfund.org/need-help.

About Regional Water Authority
The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) provides high-quality water and services to more than 430,000 people in 15 cities and towns throughout Greater New Haven. Across our operations, our more than 260 employees work toward our vision of being an innovative water utility that sustains life, strengthens communities and protects resources for future generations. For more information on the Regional Water Authority, please visit www.rwater.com.

About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc.
Dollar Energy fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become the largest hardship fund in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization in the state of Pennsylvania. Since 1983, the organization has provided $131 million in utility assistance grants to more than 470,000 low-income families and individuals. The organization assists limited-income households in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, California and Connecticut. Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund’s website, www.dollarenergyfund.org.