Sewer LifelineRate Assistance Program
Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program features
- Provides eligible low-income customers a savings per year on the sewage collection and/or treatment and resource recovery portion(s) of their sewer bill
- Collection annual savings per ESD: $30
- Treatment and resource recovery annual savings per ESD: $165
- Discount varies based on the type of dwelling
Программа Помощи Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance (Russian)
Programa de Asistencia con Tarifas de Alcantarillado (Spanish)
Eligibility
- Provide proof of income eligibility
- Property within SacSewer’s service area
- Landlords applying for their rental properties are NOT eligible
- Applicant must live at the address where the discount is being requested
- Applicant’s name must appear on the sewer bill
- Renters may be eligible if their name appears on the sewer bill or if they are completely responsible for paying the bill as part of their total rent amount per lease terms
income Eligibility
| Persons in Home | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $44,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
Apply
Online Application: Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program Application
There is an option to print or mail the application. Instructions are listed on the online application.
Call Us: (916) 875-5500
Please, remember to attach a copy of your sewer bill and either proof of your participation in SMUD’s or PG&E’s low-income program OR your income verification documents. Blacken out your Social Security and bank account number before mailing. Your personal documents will not be returned to you.
Rate Assistance FAQs
Rate assistance is available to homeowners and renters who live at the address for which they’re requesting assistance. The applicant’s name must appear on the sewer bill and they need to meet the income eligibility requirements. These requirements are based on the total gross income of all members living in the home.
If you are a renter, rate assistance may be available if you can provide proof that your sewer bill is incorporated into your monthly rent amount per lease terms.
Rate assistance is NOT available to landlords for their rental properties. As well, homeowners can only receive assistance with the home in which they live.
Rate assistance is primarily for homeowners, but if you are a renter whose name appears on the sewer bill and you are fully responsible for paying that bill or if the rent amount includes the full sewer bill, you may qualify for assistance. Eligibility will be determined upon receipt of the completed application.
We offer our Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program to apartment residents that can provide proof that the sewer monthly rates are incorporated into their monthly rent per lease terms. Apartment applicants must provide proof to confirm eligibility.
Request that your landlord add your name to the sewer bill to receive rate assistance. The owner is responsible for calling the billing office and adding your name to the bill. Once this is done, contact the Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program staff at: (916) 875-5500 or rateassistance@sacsewer.com to let us know your name has been added to the bill.
To qualify for rate assistance, you can provide either proof of participation in SMUD’s or PG&E’s low-income rate assistance programs (your award letter or a bill showing you receive assistance) OR income documentation for all family members. Examples of income documentation include income statements from Social Security or Unemployment payments; wage check stubs; bank statements showing direct deposits; or tax documents. Before mailing, remember to blacken out all highly secure information such as Social Security or bank account numbers.
These documents will NOT be returned to you.
If you normally receive a Sacramento County Consolidated Utility Bill every two months, you should see a credit on your bill. There are, however, exceptions to this. If you live in a duplex or other multi-family dwelling, you might receive a check instead of a credit.
If you receive a monthly utility bill from the cities of West Sacramento, Sacramento, or Folsom, you will receive a yearly check instead of a bill credit. You will receive a yearly check if you live in a mobile home park.
If you receive service from these agencies and you qualify for Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance, you will automatically be added to the Sacramento County Waste Management and Recycling and Sacramento County Water Agency rate assistance programs.
No, once you’re approved for the program, you will receive assistance until we notify you that it’s time to recertify, which is every five years or at SacSewer’s discretion.
You should receive a monthly space rental bill from your mobile home park office. This bill usually contains line-item charges for sewer and garbage. Submit a copy of this bill, making sure your name is listed as the bill payer, along with your application.
No, the funding for this program comes from non-rate, non-fee revenues, in other words, revenues not derived from customers’ rates and fees.
If you receive a Sacramento County Consolidated Utility Bill, you can see if you are receiving a Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance on your sewer bill by reviewing the page marked “Sewer Service Detail By Premise.”
Beneath the Sacramento Area Sewer District charge, the Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program credit will appear if you are currently receiving Lifeline credits.
If you receive a monthly utility bill from the cities of West Sacramento, Sacramento, or Folsom, you will receive an advance check for the value of their discount.
Contact the Bufferlands Team
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