California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is partnering with the United Way of the Desert to initiate a new Help2Others Customer Assistance Program to provide assistance with water bills for low-income customers, effective Jan. 1. Customers who meet eligibility requirements can receive a one-time credit of $50 on their water bills.
In instances where the credit exceeds the amount of the bill, remaining, unused funds will be applied to the next bill. Customers can reapply for the credit every 12 months.
“This new program is a positive collaboration with United Way of the Desert to help customers in dire need. It also provides businesses and community members an opportunity to make a tax-deductible financial contribution to help their neighbors with their water bill,” said General Manager Jim Barrett.
Charitable donations will primarily fund the new program. CVWD is a not-for-profit California Special District and is prevented by the state constitution from providing senior and other low-income customers with on-going, subsidized rates. However, provisions do allow Coachella Valley water to use donations and other non-rate proceeds for customer assistance and credits.
Funds from the sale of scrap metal and CVWD’s book, Lush & Efficient Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley will also be used toward the Help2Others Customer Assistance Program. All donations will go directly to United Way of the Desert, which will manage the program and determine participant eligibility.
Those wishing to contribute to the Help2Others Customer Assistance Program can do so at United Way of the Desert’s website, www.unitedwayofthedesert.org via use of a credit card. Donations via checks can be mailed to United Way of the Desert at United Way of the Desert, CVWD Customer Assistance Program, 73710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite #104, Palm Desert, CA 92260. All checks should include the designation of “CVWD Help2Others Customer Assistance Program” in the memo line.
