Phoenix approves $2M in aid for utility bills amid coronavirus pandemic
Dec 25, 2020, 6:15 AM
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council recently approved $2 million of funding for a program to help residents with delinquent utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a press release Tuesday.
Administered by the Human Services Department, the Project Assist program provides financial assistance to low-income households by resolving past-due water, trash and sewer bills for those going through hard times.
Eligible customers include people who have missed multiple payments within the last 18 months, customers who have made multiple monthly partial payments in the last 18 months or those who have signed up for deferred payments, according to the release.
People with delinquent accounts are currently being identified through the City Services billing system and staff are continuing outreach efforts to request authorization to apply funds on the customers’ behalf.
The program is funded through the Water Services Department and donations from water customers, according to the release.
People who want to donate to help the program can do so at the time of payment either online or by mail.
The Phoenix City Council also recently approved $1.1 million in funding to help around 200 small businesses and micro businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic that did not receive aid earlier this year.