Program that helps with utility bills can’t keep up with need

On October 13, governor Jay Inslee extended his utility shutoff moratorium that was set to expire on October 15 until December 31. 

Though the moratorium will temporarily keep the water running and the lights on for the Blaine and Birch Bay residents falling behind on their bills, it doesn’t provide financial assistance, and those bills will come due eventually. The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District and city of Blaine have payment plan programs available for current residents behind on their water bills. The Blaine Community Assistance Program (CAP), an outreach of Blaine area churches that provides community-based social services to surrounding areas, also has some funds available for residents facing shutoffs when the moratorium expires, and is asking people to help their neighbors through
donations. 

The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District has put together a one-year payment plan for customers behind on their water bills. Starting October 15, customers have a 60-day window to pay the charges on their account or enter into a formal payment plan with the district, according to the district’s website.

District finance director Sandi McMillan said 78 customers who were paying their bills prior to Covid-19 are currently two or more bills behind, and, on October 8, these customers owed a total of $18,100 to the district. The average bill for these customers is $105, and on average, they owe $266 each, McMillan said. 

The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District has nearly 8,000 accounts making those behind on their bills due to Covid-19 about 1 percent of the district’s customers. Each year the water district shuts off about 5-8 percent of its customers. But McMillan said that many shut-offs are due to customers forgetting their bill is due, then they pay within 24 hours and their water is turned back on. The water district rarely hears from residents who cannot afford to pay their overdue bill, McMillan said, and they refer those customers who can’t pay to the Community Assistance Program in Blaine.

The city of Blaine has asked those behind on their bills to fill out an application and enter into an agreement to pay off their outstanding balance in equal installments due on the 20th of each month for up to year. The deadline for that has been extended indefinitely, but finance director Jeffrey Lazenby encourages customers to get their applications in as soon as possible. 

Lazenby said the city has a total of 137 accounts with outstanding balances of 60 days or more, which is roughly 5 percent of the city’s 3,000 accounts. Lazenby said the sum owed to the city is $114,150. 

Inslee originally prohibited water and telecommunication companies from disconnecting customers due to nonpayment in an April proclamation. On October 6, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission extended protections from disconnection to electric and natural gas customers affected by financial impacts related to the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington until April 30, 2021, according to a press release by the commission.

The commission’s order did not protect customers from having their water turned off and phone lines disconnected. While the governor’s moratorium, which could be extended again, gave those residents another two and half months before possible shutoffs, January may be the worst time to lose water. But there are options for residents. 

The city of Blaine and Birch Bay Water and Sewer District are looking to CAP to assist customers suffering with utility expenses. CAP offers help with utility bills if a shut-off is impending as part of its crisis assistance program, which is funded by donations. 

“We will be hoping they can help out,” said Dan Eisses, general manager of the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District. 

Dan DeMent, executive director of the Community Assistance Program, said the current number of residents with outstanding utility bills far exceeds the program’s ability to help. On average, the program provides assistance to about 10 residents a month, totaling from $800 to $1,100, depending on that month’s donations. But since the governor’s moratorium proclamation, the program has not provided any utility assistance; however, it’s likely many residents are accumulating large bills, he said. 

“We have had some people who have made some specific donations that we will use up first, but we don’t have a steady stream of income that is substantial enough to manage this, what I call a ‘mini tsunami’ of need that’s going to come when the shutoff moratorium is lifted,” DeMent said. “And the longer it goes on, the bigger the bills are going to be.”

The easiest way for individuals to help, DeMent said, is by using the donation option on their utility bill. Whether it’s $5 or $100, he said any donation will help.

The assistance program also vets residents for the city of Blaine and the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District, and provides their funds if the residents meet the requirements, or the city or water district uses the war chest of funds donated to them. 

“I do know this, that January 1 is the absolute worst time of year in western Washington to lose your utilities,” DeMent said. “So, unless the government extends this again, we’re going to have a real sad time come January 1.”