1991/09/10 City Council ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 91 -194
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK ESTABLISHING A POLICY
FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTIAL UTILITY DISCOUNT FIND SETTING FORTH THE
STANDARDS FOR ENTITLEMENT
WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park has
been requested to investigate the necessity and feasibility of
granting some form of relief to low income senior citizen
residents of the City of Rohnert Park, and
WHEREAS City staff have conducted an investigation and
survey to determine the cities in California that have no water
meters and charge residential water users on a flat rate basis,
and
WHEREAS the results of the survey disclose that 24 cities in
California do not have water meters for residents, and
WHEREAS four of the cities surveyed grant discounts to low
income senior citizens and each of the cities utilize a different
formula, and
WHEREAS the City Council finds, in the interest of the
public health, safety and welfare that it is in the public
interest to adopt a utility discount program for low income
senior citizen residents in the City of Rohnert Park, and
WHEREAS the City Council finds that the requirements and
standards established by the federal government for eligibility
for supplemental security income benefits referred to as 9'SSI" as
determined by the Social Security Administration are the fairest
and most equitable standards for determination of eligibility for
the utility discount program authorized in this Resolution.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Rohnert Park City
Council that a utility discount of 20% is hereby granted by the
City of Rohnert Park to low income senior citizens who qualify
for SSI under the standards and requirements of the Social
Security Administration.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order for applicants for the
low income discount to qualify they must fill out an application
similar to the application attached to this Resolution as
EXHIBIT "A" and furnish proof of SSI eligibility from the Social
Security Administration; (2) the utility bill must be paid by the
applicant and (3) upon request of proof of eligibility from SSI
the discount will be authorized on the next utility billing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the low income discount allowed
for qualifying applicants shall be twenty (20%) per cent of the
utility bill, i. e. 20% of the total bill for City sewer service
and rater service aril refuse disposal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if an applicant should no longer
qualify for SSI then the applicant shall notify the City utility
billing department of such fact within thirty (30) days of
receipt of notice of non qualification.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City reserves the right and
it is a prior condition of the granting of the low income
discount to any applicant that the City shall have the right to
request verification of the fact that the applicant remains on
and is still eligible for SSI.
DULY AND REGULARLY PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE ROHNERT PARR
CITY COUNCIL this 10th day of September, 1991.
AYES: (4) Councilmembers Hollingsworth,Hopkins,Reilly and Mayor Eck
NOES: ( 0 ) None
ABSENT: (1) Councilmember Spiro
ATTEST:
2
Mayor
i=1
>C
x
to
H
H
a
APPLICATION FOR UTILITY DISCOUNT
s�
m
sv
r
z
r�
s
D
x
fi
r,
1
r
r
r
D
X
T
Vt
m
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal program that makes monthly payments to aged, blind, and disabled people, including children, who
have limited income and resources. Being eligible for SSI means receiving a monthly check, plus having the following advantages, depending on the
State you live in:
— Medicaid
— Medicare premiums are paid (all States)
— Food stamps
— Other social services
The following chart describes the basic eligibility requirements for SSI. The back of this chart provides additional information about benefits
provided by your State. If you know someone who may be eligible, please contact a Social Security office right away..
Re uirement Definition Exceptions /Exclusions
Aged, Blind, or Disabled MEET ONLY ONE OF `IFIESE:
Aged —65 or older
Blind — 20/200 vision or less in better eye
with glasses or;
—Field of vision less than 20 degrees
Disabled — Physical or mental impairment that keeps a
person from performing any substantial gainful
work and that is expected to last 12 months or
result in death
—A child's disability must be equally severe
Limited Income'
COUNTABLE INCOME MUST BE:
—Below $386 a month for single adult or child
—Below $579 a month for couple
(In States that pay SSI supplements, countable
income can be higher; see list on back)
Limited Resources'
— $2,000 for single adult or child
(Property and other assets
— $3,000 for couple (limit applies even if only one
a person owns)
member is eligible)
Citizenship/ Residency'
—U.S. citizen or
— Lawful permanent resident or
—Alien with lawful claim to remain in U.S.
Person whose visual impairment is not severe enough to
be considered blind may qualify as a disabled person
Special work incentives allow some income and resources
to be excluded and permit payment of special cash benefits
or continuation of Medicaid coverage even when a blind or
disabled person i§ working
NOT ALL INCOME COUNTS. Some exclusions are:
—$20 per month of most income
—$65 per month of wages and one -half of wages over $65
—Food stamps
—Home energy /housing assistance
NOT ALL RESOURCES COUNT. Some exclusions are:
—The home a person lives in
—A car, depending on use or value
— Burial plots for individual and immediate family
— Burial funds up to $1,500
—Life insurance with face value of $1,500 or less
' If only one member of a couple is eligible, the income and resources of both are considered in determining eligibility. If a child under 18 is living
with parents, the parents' income and resources are considered.
z If a person is a sponsored alien, the sponsor's income and resources are considered in determining eligibility for a period of 3 years. (This rule does
not apply to aliens who become blind or disabled after legal admission for permanent residence, aliens who are granted asylum, or refugees.)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05 -11001
August 1990
ICN 480210