PUD offers low income senior citizen rate

GRAND COULEE — This fall, qualifying low-income senior citizens can start receiving an electricity rate discount of 20 percent, following action by the Grant County Public Utility District board of commissioners Monday.

The commission adopted a residential power use rate discount for low-income seniors, which becomes available Nov. 1. The issue failed to draw public comment, either for or against the discount, at last week's commission meeting.

Monday's meeting was held in Grand Coulee, at the Grand Gallery Theatre, as part of the "commission community outreach" program. The commission holds their regular Monday meeting away from the district's Ephrata headquarters several times each year, allowing citizens from throughout Grant County to bring issues specific to their area before the commissioners.

Alan Cain, the owner of Internet service provider Bigdam.net, was the only resident from either Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam or Electric City to attend the meeting. Cain is a candidate for the PUD commission's district No. 1 seat.

The state Department of Social and Health Services, North Columbia Community Action Council, Moses Lake food bank and other local assistance agencies have encouraged the utility throughout the past 12 months to consider providing a low-income senior citizen discount.

Linda Finlay, executive director of Community Services of Moses Lake, Inc., sent a letter on Monday to the commission, again urging them to adopt the discount.

"Of the 1,400 families we serve monthly here at our food bank, 17 percent are senior citizens," Finlay wrote. "I know many of them will qualify for your program should it be implemented. For these families a savings of even $10 per month will be appreciated greatly."

Ken Sterner, executive director of the local community action council, also sent a letter Monday to the commission supporting the discount.

"With higher medical, transportation and food costs many seniors have little funds left to pay their utility bills," Sterner wrote. "Sadly, some of these people pay their utility bill at the cost of not taking prescriptions as prescribed, blocking off most of the rooms in their homes, living with inadequate heat temperatures and skipping meals."

The district, which already provides some of the lowest electrical rates in the nation, is authorized by state law to provide the billing discount to low-income senior citizens.

"Every little bit helps these seniors, who are low income," said PUD Commissioner Bill Bjork, who voted in favor of the discount.

"It can be worked into (the district's) budget and into the budget next year," he added.

Bjork instructed the district staff to monitor the number of seniors who apply for the discount. He wants to ensure that all eligible seniors are signed up and the district's projected enrollment, which should exceed 1,000 ratepayers, is met.

Additionally, Bjork requested the staff bring forward a rate discount proposal for disabled residents.

For the senior-citizen discount, the utility has set two eligibility requirements.

First, ratepayers must be at least 62 years old. If the age requirement is met, applicants must have a total household income — including any spouse or co-tenants — that does not exceed 125 percent of federal poverty level guidelines. Those guidelines are published each year by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Income levels for a one-person household cannot exceed $12,250, while for two people it must be $16,500, or less. The household income for three people, according to federal poverty guidelines, cannot exceed $20,750. A four-person household must not exceed $25,000, to be eligible.

Discounts only apply to ratepayers' primary residential service.

The community action council will be the lead agency for enrollment and documentation processes.

Senior citizens interested in the discounted rate need to schedule an appointment with the community action council in October.

Applicants will also be encouraged to accept a free home energy audit, which seeks to make ratepayers' homes more energy efficient.

"Senior citizens represent many of Grant County PUD's long-time customers," said Debbie Lowe, the district's customer service manager. "We are pleased to be able to offer this reduced rate and appreciate the help from local family assistance agencies in developing this option for our seniors."