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Home My WebLink AboutResolution No. R21-128RESOLUTION NO. R21-128 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOW INCOME HOME WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ("LIHWAP") AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN ALL CONTRACTS AND/OR AGREEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM ON THE CITY'S BEHALF. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, Section 1: Approval. The City Council authorizes and approves the City's participation in the State of Montana's Low Income Home Water Assistance Program ("LIHWAP") and all documents are attached hereto and incorporated herein. Section 2: Execution. The Mayor and the City Clerk of the City of Laurel are hereby given authority to execute the requisite contract/agreement on behalf of the City. Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on December 14, 2021, by Council Member Stokes. PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel this 14`h day of December 2021. APPROVED by the Mayor this 14`h day of December 2021. CPI Y OF LAUREL r Emelie Eaton, Mayor AT Bethany .an , '1 rk-Treasurer Approved a to fo Sam S. Painter, Civil City Attorney R21-128 Authorize Participation in Low Income Water Assistance Program ("LIHWAP") IMIO(V(AsNA Department of Public Health and Human Services Human and Community Services Division Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau PO Box 202956 Helena, MT 59620-2956 ❑aNa• H.•pt. l4dJgCammunitln Greg Glanforte, Governor Adam Meier, Director DATE: July 19, 2021 TO: Public Water System Providers FROM: Sara Loewen, DPHHS Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau Chief SUBJECT: Low -Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Contractor Application and Contract A temporary emergency Low -Income Home Water Assistance Program' (LIHWAP) is being developed to provide low-income households assistance in paying their water and wastewater bills. Funds will be sent directly to Public Water System (PWS) operators to be credited to income eligible household accounts to reduce arrearages, prevent shutoffs and reduce monthly rates. This program is slated to operate from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Households will apply for assistance through a process coordinated with the Low -Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) program. The MT Department of Public Health and Human Services is providing the opportunity to PWS providers to participate in this program through a contract with the Department in order to receive and provide this assistance to Income eligible households. The Department is beginning the process of securing contracts with PWS providers interested in participating in the LIHWAP. The following documents are enclosed: 1. A copy of the (DPHHS-HWAP-001) Low Income Home Water Assistance Program Contractor Application and Contract for the time period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Complete the Contractor Information sections, including the Contractor Taxpayer ID number field. Sign the bottom of page three. The contract will be signed by a Department representative and a copy will be returned for your records. 2. A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Verification (W-9) form. The completed W-9 form is required to•receive payments from the Department. The W-9 form will be used to verify the TIN and the address where the 1099 form will be sent. 1 The LIHWAP program is authorized under Section 533 Title V of Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations act of 2021, Public Law No: 116-260 and as provided for under The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Additional information can be found at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/lihwap. 3. A Payment Address Form to complete and return if the mailing address for the LIHWAP payment is to be made to an address other than the one entered on the W-9 form. 4. A Direct Deposit Sign-up Form to complete if your company would prefer to have payments made directly to your financial institution. A written Statement of Remittance (SOR) will be mailed as usual but LIHWAP funds will be available at least one day earlier. In order to participate and receive funds under this program, items #1 and #2 (above) must be completed and returned, along with items #3 and #4 if applicable. These documents should be mailed to: DPHHS LIHWAP, PO Box 202925, Helena, MT 59620 We encourage all Public Water System providers to complete the above information in order to participate in the program and allow their customers to receive this assistance. Look for additional information (coming soon) at www.lieap.mt.gov. A list of frequently asked questions will be available. You can also email Program Specialist Sheri Shepherd at sshepherd2@mt.gov. Thank you for considering participating in the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program aimed at reducing arrearages and rates of low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services. Sara Loewen Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau Chief Human and Community Services Division, MT DPHHS Public Water System Suppliers FAQ!S The LIHWAP program is authorized under Section 533 Title V of Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations act of 2021, Public Law No: 116-260 and as provided for under The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Additional information can be found at: https://www.acf.hhs.pov/ocs/programs/lihwap. 1. How do I know if I am a qualified public water system? Contact DPHHS/IHSB by emailing sshepherd2@mt.gov to determine if you are a qualified water vendor. 2. What do I need to track on payments that come in? When you have contracted with DPHHS, payments for income eligible customers will be sent directly to the water vendor. Payments must be applied to the customer account for past -due amounts, disconnect or reconnect fees (if applicable) and water bills and sewer bills. The water vendor must be able to show DPHHS how those payments were applied to the eligible customer's account upon request. Suppliers will be expected to submit reports/data indicating the financial accountability for these funds to eligible customer accounts were credited with LIHWAP benefits. 3. What if a client moves or passes away? When a customer moves or passes away any unused LIHWAP funds will need to be returned to: DPHHS/HCSD; P.O. Box 202956, Helena, MT 59620. Include customer's name, LIHWAP benefit Issuance date, and LIHWAP account number with remittance. 4. Do we have to return funds at a certain time if not used? LIHWAP funds only need to be returned when the account is closed due to a move or a client passes away or when the program closes on June 30, 2023. In these cases, any LIHWAP attributable credit remaining on the customer account will need to be returned to DPHHS. S. How will payments be issued via check or direct deposit? All payments will be issued directly to the water/sewer provider who has entered into a contract with DPHHS on behalf of the customer. The LIHWAP vendor application allows the vendor to choose to receive funds (via check or direct deposit (EFT)). 6. How does the program work for vendors? The LIHWAP benefits will be sent directly to the water/sewer provider who has an approved contract with DPHHS. Documentation will be sent with the payment indicating the customer's account number, benefit amounts (Water, sewer and arrearages). The vendor needs to apply the benefit to the correct customer's account. A Public Water System (PWS) provider application can be obtained by emailing sshepherd22mt.gov, 7. Are we allowed to let our clients know about the program? Water vendors are encouraged to refer customers to the local eligibility office. Eligibility offices are located on the LIHEAP, LIHWAP and Weatherization Assistance nit, ov website. 8. Will there be some type of brochure we can give our clients? Information is available on the LIHEAP. LIHWAP and Weatherization Assistance mt. ov website. 9. If we have a question as a vendor, is there a number to call for questions? Call Sheri at 406-447-4269 or email any questions to sshepherd2@mt.aov. 10. Can we request applications to provide our customers? To obtain a supply of applications please email sshepherd2@mt.aov. Or contact your local HRDC office which can be found at LIHEAP. LIHWAP and Weatherization Assistance (mt.eov) 11. What is the application process, and what is our role in that? Applicants will applythrough the local eligibility offices. If deemed eligible, a payment will be sent to the water/sewer provider to apply to the applicant's water and/or sewer account as directed in the payment. The water/sewer providers do not process applications. 12. Is the Direct Deposit for each household or the vendor? The Direct Deposit may include payments to the public water system supplier for more than one customer. The deposit will provide documentation indicating the account the payment is for and the amount to apply to each customer's account. If additional information is needed regarding a payment please call Sheri at 406-447- 4269. Low Income Home Water Assistance Program LIHWAP helps pay: a. Water Bills b. Wastewater/Sewer Bills b. Water and Wastewater (sewer) Past Due Bills c. Water and Wastewater (sewer) Late Fees and Reconnect Fees Funds will be sent directly to Public Water system (PWS) operators to be credited to income eligible household accounts. The Water Program is slated to start October 1, 2021 and continue through September 30, 2023. Do I Qualify for LIHWAP Assistance? To qualify for LIHWAP assistance, you must meet these requirements: • Be responsible for paying water and/or wastewater (sewer) bill. • Have an active water and/or wastewater(sewer) account or have an obligation to pay through a rental agreement. • Be a United States citizen or legally admitted for permanent residency. • Meet the following Income and resource guidelines 9qs V3p�i s 1 $27,282 $12,043 3 $44,071 $19,277 5 $60,859 $21,689 How do I Apply? You can apply for assistance by submitting the combined LIHWAP and Low -Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) application. An application can be found at lieap.mt.gov or by contacting your local LIEAP eligibility office. The local LIEAP offices are listed on the back of this Flyer, Find the county you live in and return the application to the office listed. What Items are Needed? Before mailing your application, make sure you: • Answer all questions completely. • Ensure everyone in the home is included on the application. • Ensure everyone age 16 or older signs and dates the application. • Include your recent water and wastewater (sewer) bill(s). • Include income records for the previous three months for everyone sixteen (16) years of age and older. • Include a recent bank statement for all open bank accounts. • Include copies of Social Security cards. Local LIEAP/LIHWAP Offices Find your county and return the application to the office listed. IF you live in this count: I Return application to: Carter prairie Golden Valley Custer Richland ; 300 First Avenue North, Room 203 Daniels ; Lewistown, MT 59457 Action for Eastern Montana Dawson Roosevelt 2030 North Merrill Fallon Rosebud P.O. Box 1309 Garfield Sheridan 'Glendive, MT 59330-1309 McCone Treasure C Ph. 377-3564 or 1-800-227-0703 Phillips Valley LIEAP Office Jefferson Wibaux Lewis & Clark Powder River I Ph. 447-1625 or 1-800.356-6544 Blaine District IV HRDC Action Inc.—Human Resource Council Granite 2229 51h Avenue Hill P.O. Box 39, Butte, MT 59703 Havre, MT 59501 Liberty Silver Bow i Pondera North Central Area Agency on Aging 13115 Ph. 265-6743 or 1-800-640-6743 Virginia St, Suite 2 Toole Opportunities Inc. Cascade j Ph. 271-7553 or 1-800-551-3191 905 First Ave North Chouteau P.O. Box 2289 Glacier Great Falls, MT59403-2289 Ph. 761-0310 or 1-800-326-0955 Big Ham I ) District VII HRDC - Carbon 13116 First Ave North Stillwater P.O. Box 2016 Sweet Grass Billings, MT 59103 Yellowstone Ph. 247-4778 or 1-800.433-1411 Missoula District XI Human Resource Council Mineral 1801 South Higgins Ravalll Missoula, MT 59801 Ph. 728-3710 Community Action Partnership of -NW Flathead Lake 214 Main Street Lincoln P.O. Box 8300 Kalispell, MT 59904-1300 Sanders Ph. 758-5433 or 1 -BOD -344.5979 If you live in this county: Return application to: Fergus District VI HRDC Golden Valley Centennial Plaza Judith Basin ; 300 First Avenue North, Room 203 Musselshell ; Lewistown, MT 59457 Petroleum (Ph. 535-7488 or 1-800-766-3018 Wheatland I I } District IX HRDC Gallatin South Tracy Avenue Meagher132 I Bozeman, MT 59715 Park Ph. 587.4486 or 1-800-332-2796 Rocky Mountain Development Council Broadwater LIEAP Office Jefferson 648 N.Jackson Lewis & Clark ' P.O. Box 1717 Helena, MT 59626-1717 I Ph. 447-1625 or 1-800.356-6544 Beaverhead Deer Lodge Action Inc.—Human Resource Council Granite ! 25 W Silver Street, Butte, MT 59701 Madison P.O. Box 39, Butte, MT 59703 Powell 1 Ph. 533-6855 or 1-800-382-1325 Silver Bow i Pondera North Central Area Agency on Aging 13115 Teton Virginia St, Suite 2 Toole ( Conrad, MT 59425 j Ph. 271-7553 or 1-800-551-3191 For additional information visit: lieap.mt.sov