MARCH 17, 2020

Emergency Assistance Program- TPU

In response to The City of Tacoma’s COVID-19 State of Emergency, Tacoma’s Public Utility Board approved the creation of a new Emergency Assistance Program for low-income customers, funded for up to $1 million. The new program will support Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) customers whose incomes are within 200% of federal poverty guidelines, as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read full press release.

For up-to-date information about the City of Tacoma’s response to COVID-19, visit: MyTPU.org/COVID19.

What is the Emergency Assistance Program and what does it cover?

The Emergency Assistance Program is a $1 million fund created to help customers during the state of emergency declared by the City of Tacoma in response to COVID-19. The program provides a utility credit of up to $250 for eligible single-family households, usable toward TPU bills.

The program has fewer criteria than TPU’s existing Bill Credit Assistance Program (BCAP), expanding eligibility to households making up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines (BCAP aids households making up to 150%). We project that this $1 million in funding and change in criteria will enable TPU to help many more households who are struggling due to the current state of emergency.

How can I apply for the Emergency Assistance Program?

We are working on an online application form that will be posted as soon as possible. In the meantime, please call our Customer Services team at 253-502-8600.

Who qualifies for the Emergency Assistance Program?

To qualify for the Emergency Assistance Program funding, residents must:

Have a current Tacoma Public Utilities Account,

Live in the dwelling unit as the primary residence,

Have residential, single metered service, and

Meet the household income guideline shown in the list below.

To qualify for this benefit, you must meet the following income eligibility requirement:

Household Size: 1 person

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $2,127

Household Size: 2 people

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $2,874

Household Size: 3 people

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $3,621

Household Size: 4 people

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $4,367

Household Size: 5 people

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,114

Household Size: 6 people

Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,861

I am already part of the Bill Credit Assistance Program (BCAP). Will I still be part of that program, and am I able to be part of this new program?

The new Emergency Assistance Program will not impact customers who are part of the existing Bill Credit Assistance Program (BCAP). The Emergency Assistance Program is designed to expand eligibility and make funding available to more customers who are in need during this crisis. If you are already part of the existing BCAP program, you will continue to be part of that program as long as you are eligible.

Kelly Blucher

Manager of Community Engagement & Outreach

Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region
Desk: 253.573.6853 

Cell:   253.302.2347
www.goodwillwa.org

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