COVID Rate Relief Credit Program

March 9, 2021 Update: 

  • The NTPUD has expanded the program and has now opened the program to a second round of applications for those who have already received a bill credit and also increased the amount of credit for new applicants to two months of the fixed portion of their monthly water and/or sewer utility bill.

How to Apply

  1. Review the eligibility guidelines to confirm eligibility.
  2. Download the application, email or call the District at (530) 546-4212, to receive a paper copy in the mail, or pick up an application from the vestibule at the Administrative Offices at 875 National Ave. (District offices are closed)
  3. Fill out the application and attach copies of the required employment loss, relief program, or COVID-19 impact documents. Applications submitted without complete documentation cannot be processed.
  4. Read the “Important Information” statement and sign and date the application.
  5. Submit the application by mail, drop in night drop box at the Administrative Offices, or scan and email.

Note: The program is administered on a first-come first-serve basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. Program in effect until program funds are fully expended or June 1, 2021, whichever comes first.

 

Program Details

 

Purpose

To issue an account credit that helps provide temporary relief of sewer and water service charges to North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) customers whose primary residence or business are within the NTPUD’s service area and are negatively affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility

Residential and Non-Residential NTPUD sewer customers and Single Family Residential, Multi-family Residential, and Commercial NTPUD water customers that have been negatively affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible and may qualify for participation in the program. Customers must have their primary residence (Residential, Single Family Residential, and Multi-family Residential Accounts) or business (Non-Residential and Commercial Accounts) within the NTPUD’s service area. Residential accounts that are not a primary residence are not eligible for the program. Primary residence shall be as defined under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. Government entities are not eligible for the program.

Program Effective​ Dates

This program is effective from April 29, 2020 until exhaustion of program funds or June 30, 2021 (whichever comes first). The NTPUD Board of Directors may modify, extend, and/or terminate the program at any time.

Amount

The NTPUD Board of Directors has allocated a total of $200,000 in funds to support this program.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 9, 2021 - Approved qualifying eligible customers, on a first come first served basis, will receive a one-time credit applied to their account* equal to two months of the fixed portion of their monthly water and/or sewer utility bill (base charges, system replacement, and state and federal mandate fees). Customers approved under the program, prior to March 9, 2021, are eligible to apply to receive a second credit applied to their account* equal to one month of the fixed portion of their monthly water and/or sewer utility bill (base charges, system replacement, and state and federal mandate fees).

*The one-time credit will be applied to the account. In the event, the account holder of record is not the qualifying tenant, the NTPUD encourages landlords to provide a rent or similar credit to the tenants qualifying for the program.

Qualifications

To qualify, eligible customers must complete a program application and provide documentation that is current as of March 1, 2021 (or after) and demonstrates the following (by customer class):

Residential, Single Family Residential, and Multi-family Residential

Residential customers must have at least one qualifying individual whose primary residence is the service address of the account. For multi-residential accounts, applications must be completed for each unit with signature by the account holder of record. Qualifying circumstances include:

  • Documented loss of employment (including but not limited to: eligibility for unemployment, unemployment filing, lay-off or furlough notice), or
  • Documented participation in one or more of the following programs:
    • Liberty Utilities or Southwest Gas – California Alternate Rates for Energy assistance program (provide copy of utility bill with CARE rate code)
    • National School Lunch Program for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
    • CalFresh/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
    • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
    • California Works Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
    • Others as approved by the General Manager on a case by case basis.

Non-residential and Commercial

Non-residential and Commercial customers must certify they have had their business operations cease or significantly restricted as a result of a County or State Order restricting non-essential business activities. Types of qualifying businesses include (but not limited to):

  • Lodging – Hotels or Motels
  • Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops
  • Theaters
  • Barbers, Beauty Shops, Salons, and Spas
  • Gyms, Yoga Studios, and Massage Studios
  • Retail (non-essential retail that have been forced to close their business/operations to customers)
  • Other qualifying businesses as approved by the General Manager on a case by case basis

Businesses deemed essential and exempted from County or State Order restricting business activities shall not qualify.

General Manager’s Authority

The General Manager shall have broad authority to interpret and apply the qualifying criteria for the program.