Water bill assistance offered for some Central Coast residents

Payment assistance for residential water bills is being offered to some Central Coast residents through the California Department of Community Services and Development.

The agency announced the Drought Water Assistance Program to promote water conservation and prevent disruption in vital water services for low-income households. A $600,000 grant has been distributed to 10 California counties where the unemployment rate is higher than the 2013 statewide average, the share of agricultural workers is higher than the state as a whole, and which are experiencing “exceptional” drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Classification System.

Those counties are Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus and Tulare.

In Monterey County, the money will go to help low-income households with a one-time payment assistance benefit on their residential water bills. This is being made possible through a partnership between Central Coast Energy Services, Inc. and the Community Action Partnership of Monterey County.

CCES will provide eligible applicants with a one-time payment of up to $100 on water utility accounts in addition to water conservation information. Applicants that demonstrate an extreme hardship may be considered for additional assistance. CCES estimates the Drought Water Assistance program funding will benefit approximately 500 households in Monterey County.

CCES will partner with local water utility companies to coordinate payments for applicants who have a current, past due, or disconnected water account.

To apply for the Drought Water Assistance Program, applicants must self-certify how they have been affected by the drought, reside in Monterey County, and meet specific monthly gross income guidelines, For instance, a family of four cannot make more than $1,987 per month to be eligible.

To request more information or for an application for the Drought Water Assistance Program, call CCES at: 1-888-728-3637.