Phoenix to help pay outstanding city services bills for some residents impacted by pandemic

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix announced Tuesday it will pay a portion of outstanding city services bills for some residents impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customers can enroll in the city’s Deferred Payment Arrangement (DPA) Recovery Program online or by calling 602-262-6251.

Using $5 million from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year, those who are accepted into the program will have two-thirds of their outstanding balance paid as of Sept. 30, according to a press release.

The other one-third of the balance would be the customer’s responsibility and can be paid over an agreed-upon amount of time, the release said.

Those eligible for the assistance program must meet the following criteria put forth by the city of Phoenix:

• City of Phoenix Single-Family Residential (SFR) customer.
• Residential property is located within Phoenix taxable boundaries.
• A minimum of 12 months of consecutive service.
• Must be enrolled in a DPA by Sept. 30, 2021.
• No water theft or tampering on the account.
• No fees, such as returned checks or tampering fees.
• Experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Accounts ineligible for the financial assistance are property manager and commercial accounts, multiple SFR accounts and high water accounts that have an average of 50 centum cubic feet or greater, according to the release.

Customers that have an outstanding balance and don’t enroll in the program will be placed on a low flow device until they bring their account into good standing, according to the release, and service will be turned off entirely after three months.

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