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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> you would receive a credit for that surcharge so that you wouldn't see an increase. It would be a
<br /> total credit to cover the surcharge.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde asked, Do you keep that information current? What if someone's
<br /> situation changes?
<br /> Dr. Boyles replied, We are getting there. So, what does this look like from a customer's point of
<br /> view? Given an agreement with REAL Services and a solid partnership, we would really rely on
<br /> them, heavily, to help us initially. They would complete the income verification just like they are
<br /> doing already. So, it really isn't an additional step for them. They are already doing it and they
<br /> already give every resident or household an EAP approval letter that they have for their own
<br /> records. So,step one(1)is already happening.Then step two(2),our customer's households would
<br /> visit our customer service, they would provide us a letter and they would also then probably need
<br /> to sign some sort of information release so that we could do a two (2)-party verification so that
<br /> their letter matches the data we are receiving from REAL Services. We would work that out with
<br /> them. Then the utility bill would be adjusted with the credit.Note here, you must be a customer to
<br /> receive the credit. So, if you are a renter and you are paying your utility bills through your rent,
<br /> there wouldn't be a way to utilize this program. This is if you are paying your bill to your landlord
<br /> and if it is already part of your rent, you wouldn't have an account in your name. But, the State
<br /> change is actually a benefit to this program. If the account holder is a renter and their name is on
<br /> the account, they would get the credit. We are still working out the logistics in detail, but that
<br /> credit, it might take two (2) billing cycles to take place. That is what we are anticipating.
<br /> She went on,We are still working out some of those details about what that enrollment would look
<br /> like. Energy assistance is set up based on the heating season. So, they begin taking applications, I
<br /> believe, in August for a November 1St beginning of their credit. So, if you have an account with
<br /> NIPSCO or AEP, you can enroll any time from August to May of that heating season. If you are a
<br /> customer of those accounts, you want to enroll sooner than later because then you can get that
<br /> credit applied to your bill. They do a similar program where they share the data,and then NIPSCO
<br /> or AEP applies the credit. In their case,if you are a renter and you are paying your utilities to your
<br /> landlord, because the State does the program, they still can get a disbursement and they run a
<br /> calculation based on what your costs are for rent. Even though you're paying it, already, and not
<br /> paying it directly to your provider, you're paying it to your landlord, so you still qualify. That
<br /> enrollment period, again, is that way for many reasons. So, we would have some sort of a similar
<br /> program. We would probably require that enrollment happen on an annual basis prior to, maybe a
<br /> May, deadline. Then there would be a small window where no one is eligible to enroll between
<br /> May and August. Then you can start enrolling again for the following year or reenroll. That said,
<br /> we don't know all the details yet of how the reenrollment verification will go, but there would
<br /> have to be annual verification. Once you're in the program, it can become a little challenging. I
<br /> think it will incentivize,if you have this credit and you have an account, and then you move,which
<br /> we know renters do that,but if you move, you're going to sign right back up as soon as you can to
<br /> get your credit.
<br /> She continued, So, next steps. We came here for feedback today. We are going to look towards,
<br /> based on feedback, preparing a rate ordinance. If we are moving in the right direction, we could
<br /> have that ready to go at the beginning of August. We would then need to submit to the Indiana
<br /> Utility Regulatory Commission for approval. We are going to keep watching Citizen's case. I
<br /> know it's been six-plus months,but they are doing a much more elaborate rate increase and looking
<br /> EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY ! INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
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