CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending Section 21.49.042 of the Seattle Municipal Code to align eligibility and assistance guidelines for the utility-funded Emergency Low-Income Assistance program with other City rate assistance programs.
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WHEREAS, in December 1985, the Emergency Low-Income Assistance program (ELIA) was established by Ordinance 112637 to provide emergency, low-income assistance to certain customers of the City Light Department; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish consistent eligibility and assistance guidelines across the various City energy assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, ELIA is not available until City Light customers receive a 24-hour notice; and
WHEREAS, ELIA is only available one time per 12-month period to families with children in the household; and
WHEREAS, the assistance available through ELIA is a fixed $200 per year and is not adjusted to reflect average rate changes in residential bills; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes of ELIA’s eligibility and assistance will align with those of the Seattle Public Utility’s Emergency Assistance Program (EAP); NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 21.49.042 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124836, is amended as follows:
21.49.042 Emergency low-income assistance program
A. An emergency credit of ((50)) 100 percent of a customer's delinquent bills up to a maximum credit of $200 may be granted by the Department to income eligible residential accounts, metered for a single household, ((which)) that qualify under the following criteria:
1. Total household income does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State ((Median Income)) median income; and
2. Have completed an Emergency Low-Income Assistance program application where income eligibility is verified; and
3. Have received a ((24 hour)) ten-day notice from the Department notifying them that payment or payment arrangements must be made to prevent disconnection; and
4. Have entered into an agreement with the Department to pay a minimum of 50 percent of the delinquent amount and balance. The emergency credit from this program may be applied to the required payment of the minimum of 50 percent of the delinquent amount.
B. A customer is eligible for the emergency credit ((only one time in each 12 month
Period)) once each calendar year, or twice each calendar year if the household includes at least one minor child.
C. In 2019, the maximum credit shall be $200. In 2020 and subsequent years, the maximum amount from 2019 shall be adjusted annually by the Department to reflect the average growth in electric bills for residential customers.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)