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Policy

The policy is to assist CU customers in paying their utility bill when the established criteria have been met. CU will open up the STW program in the fall, as long as funds are available, and will close the program when funding has reached a low level. Each qualified applicant can only receive assistance once during the fiscal year under the following categories:

  • Low Income/Disabled/Senior (LIDS)
  • Disconnect Notice

A customer may qualify for assistance under the Emergency (E) category in addition to receiving funds under the LIDS or DC categories.

Program Criteria

Low Income/Disabled/Senior Category (LIDS)
  1. Customers shall have established service for a minimum of six months with CU.
  2. Shall meet Federal LIHEAP standards, have a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) card, Oregon Trail Card, or meets low-income eligibility that can be verified through CU's designated third party intake center.
  3. Customers are eligible for $225 per fiscal year. Customers apply through the third party intake center. A disconnect notice is not required if eligibility requirements are met.
Disconnect Notice Category (DC)
  1. Customers shall have established service for a minimum of six months with CU.
  2. Customers are eligible for up to $225 in assistance each fiscal year. Customers shall pay the disconnect notice fee, plus 25% of the past due balance, or the amount that would bring their past due balance to a zero, before the STW funds are applied to their account. Customers shall make the payment within three business days from the date they signed the STW agreement.
Emergencies/Family Crisis/Other Category (E)
  1. Customers are eligible to receive up to $225 in assistance per fiscal year. This may be in addition to receiving funds under the LIDS and DH categories.
  2. Customers apply directly at CU business office. The Customer Service Supervisor or his/her designee will determine eligibility.
  3. Customer Service Supervisor or his/her designee may initiate assistance in lieu of the customer's request if the customer's need is generally and publically known, for instance, from news reports.