Addressing Affordability Webinar

This webinar is an introduction to several models and approaches utilities are currently using to assist low-income customers and the tools the utilities are using to effectively reach low-income communities.  These models are presented against the backdrop of “Navigating Legal Pathways to Rate-Funded Customer Assistance Programs.” Although some content could be somewhat similar to the November 2014 webinar titled “Measuring and Addressing Water/Wastewater Bills Affordability,” this new report along with additional information from the US Environmental Protection Agency and others means that the conversation has advanced considerably in the last few years and considerable new information is available.

Implementing a customer assistance program (CAP) is a way to ameliorate the effect of high water bills on vulnerable and low-income customers, an important and complex issue in many communities. This webinar will give examples of different customer assistance programs currently utilized by utilities and an overview of rate-funded CAPs.

Affordability of water service is at the forefront of many challenges water systems face today. After viewing the webinar, a utility should understand benefits and challenges of different approaches to customer assistance programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Consider different CAP models and analyze what model might fit for their community
2. Investigate legal challenges to rate-funded CAPs in their state
3. Apply lessons learned about CAPs from other communities to their own water system