From left: Maravilla Foundation Program Manager Manny Gonzalez, Board of Water and Power Commissioner Mia Lehrer, PACE LA COO Billy Chun, Board of Water and Power Commissioner Wilma J. Pinder, Los Angeles City Council Member for District 10 Heather Hutt, State Water Resources Control Board Chairman E. Joaquin Esquivel, California Environmental Protection Secretary Yana Garcia, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janice Quiñones, City of Los Angeles Department of Health and Environment Director and General Manager Barbara Romero, and Public Utilities Commission Chair Aura Garcia.
State Water Resources Control Board’s Water and Sewer Delinquent Payment Program distributes final $253 million in ARP funds
LOS ANGELES (June 12, 2024) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has distributed $700 million in utility assistance funds to 417,729 customer accounts since 2021 to settle water, electric and sewer bills incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, including $253 million in funds from the State Water Resources Control Board.
Today, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with City Council Member Heather Hutt, California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia, Water Resources Control Board Chairman E. Joaquin Esquivel, Los Angeles Water Authority and Los Angeles Department of Sanitation officials, and community members, recognized the distribution of remaining federal and state funds, totaling more than $880 million in utility debt relief to Californians. Of that, nearly 30%, or more than $253 million, has been provided to Angelenos who were unable to pay their water and sewer service bills from March 2020 through December 2022. The Los Angeles Water Authority automatically applied the funds to past due bills on more than 204,500 customer accounts.
“Today’s announcement to provide relief to thousands of people is a continuation of Los Angeles’ commitment to supporting our community in its ongoing recovery from the pandemic. We remain committed to working with federal, state and local partners through a close-knit approach to ensure residents have access to critical resources. I am proud to act alongside CEO and Chief Engineer Janice Quiñones, City Council Member Hutt, and our state and community organization partners on behalf of LADWP customers in Los Angeles.”
“The Governor’s swift action early on in the pandemic got water back on the road for millions of struggling Californians,” said California Environmental Protection Secretary Yana Garcia. “His extended moratorium on shutoffs and debt forgiveness, along with critical funding for water systems, have helped nearly 4 million Californians get back on their feet.”
“California’s COVID-19 response has demonstrated decisive and collaborative action from all levels of government to protect people during the crisis and speed the recovery,” said State Water Commission Chairman E. Joaquin Esquivel. “I am proud of the role the Commission played in this incredible effort. The Commission mobilized a massive program to provide the first wave of debt relief within months. But I am even prouder of our partners at the local level – cities, water systems, wastewater systems – who chose to participate in the program and help their customers, getting this relief directly to those who need it.”
These funding sources are the California Water and Sewer Delinquent Payment Program, administered by the State Water Resources Control Board using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. This latest customer relief follows other assistance programs in 2022 and 2021 designed to help people who fell behind on their utility bills during the pandemic period from March 4, 2020 to June 15, 2021.
“The state’s customer support has been a lifeline for our customers. Over the past four years, we’ve provided more than $700 million in utility assistance funding, including $253 million in funding from the Water and Sewer Delinquent Payment Program, but we know the economic recovery from the pandemic is ongoing for many in our city,” said LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janice Quiñones. “LADWP cares about our customers, and we’re here to help you stay on track with paying your LADWP bill and better manage your electricity and water usage.”
In February 2021, LADWP distributed its first COVID-19 pandemic debt assistance grants of over $34 million to 67,000 low-income customers in the form of $500 direct checks as a one-time utility debt relief measure funded through the federal CARES Act.
In January 2022, LADWP distributed more than $279 million in bill credits from the California Past Due Payment Program (CAPP) to assist more than 375,000 income-eligible customers with their unpaid electric bill debt. LADWP has committed an additional $15 million to supplement state and federal funding and further assist income-eligible customers who continue to need assistance.
From September 2022 to March 2024, 8,000 LADWP and Los Angeles Department of Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) customers received $11 million in water and sewer bill credits through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). With the help of local service providers Maravilla Foundation, PACE LA, and Long Beach Community Action Partnership, customers received hands-on, multilingual application support.
“Sewer service is one of the most important services we provide to protect public health and the environment,” said Barbara Romero, LASAN Director and General Manager. “We are grateful to the State of California for including us in this Public Works Financial Assistance Program so we can once again help our fellow Angelenos and their families. We will continue to work at the local, state and federal levels to secure grants and other funding to help offset these costs.”
Assistance for past due utility payments was also provided as part of California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief “Housing is Key” program, through which 46,000 LADWP customers received $48 million in assistance for past due payments incurred from April 2020 through March 2022.
LADWP customers can still access state and local assistance programs, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and since the pandemic, 78,000 LADWP customers have received $57 million in assistance with past due electric bills.
LADWP is also offering generous and convenient payment options to customers who may have outstanding bills after their most recent CWWAPP automatic bill credit. Customers who do not pay may be subject to collection activities, including shutoffs of water and electric service. Customers who need assistance paying their LADWP bill can call 1-800-DIAL-DWP or visit ladwp.com/CARES for more information.
Media Contact:
Vonda Paige: [email protected] – 213-923-0141