Austin Energy Low Income Customer Advocates Special Called Meeting of the Austin Energy Low Income Customer Advocates

Backup — original pdf

Austin Energy Low Income Consumer Advocates-Payment Arrangement Design Policy Worksheet DRAFTTarget PopulationEligibilityLength of TermNumber of PA's AllowedDown Payment$ Amount ThresholdDeposit on PAPA DisqualificationCurrent AE Program ExistsAll ResidentialAll ResidentialUp to 8 months (CSR)Up to 12 months (Supervisors)Up to 36 months (Customer Assistance Team)Unlimited-as long as the account is brought to 0 balance before the account becomes eligible againYes - 50% down exceptions approved by SupervisorsNoneNOMeter TamperingPrevious PA BrokenDisconnection for Non-PaymentField Activity Scheduled for Non-PaymentReturned Payment on Account1-Discount Program2-Emergency AssistanceLow IncomeRegular ResidentialCritically IllElderlyHouseholds w/ young childrenLow IncomeRegular ResidentialCritically IllElderlyHouseholds w/ young children24 months regular residential$48 maximum for discount participants (any length of term possible)3 Payment Arrangements4th Payment Arrangement for any customer identifying a "Bona Fide" Reason *NONoneNot DeterminedNot Determined1-Discount Program2-Emergency AssistanceGeneralAll ResidentialUp to 24 months, if needed (CSR)Up to 36 months (Supervisors)TBD (Customer Assistance TeamUnlimited-as long as the account is brought to 0 balance before the account becomes eligible againYes -Down payment equal to first month installmentNoneNo application of deposit to PA1-Discount Program2-Emergency Assistance3-Education4-Weatherization5-New Collections Template (in progress)Low IncomeCritically IllElderlyHouseholds w/ young childrenCAP CustomersAs defined by a monthly payment not to exceed 5% of U.S. Dept of HHS monthly poverty guideline for single person householdUnlimited-as long as the account is brought to 0 balance before the account becomes eligible again. Those with broken arrangements can have 3 Payment Arrangements/4th with "Bona Fide" Reason*NONoneNo application of deposit to PA1-Discount Program2-Emergency Assistance3-Education4-Weatherization*Bona Fide Reasons= serious illness or injury by account holder or household member; loss of employment; economic loss due to natural disaster; domestic violence against the customer; a commitment by an independent program to assist customer with paymentThe PURPOSE of a Payment Arrangement (PA) is a short term payment option for households that are having a temporary crisis; PAs provide several months to pay off overdue utility bills in equal installments. Austin Energy Regular PolicyCouncil Mandated Current PolicyAdvocacy Group RecommendsAdvocacy Group Recommends

Backup — original pdf

Austin Energy Low Income Consumer Advocates Resolution 20131107-052 Meeting #4 March 31, 2014 Attendees: Robena Jackson (Facilitator), Bob Batlin (Austin Interfaith), Carol Biedrzycki (Texas ROSE), Lanetta Cooper (TLSC), Gloria Cueva (Caritas), Kathleen Hopkins (ABC), Pat Macy (St. Austin), Tonda Owens (Travis County), Linda Perez (MOWAM), Aurora Pizano (Austin Resource Recovery), Dan Pruett (One Voice), Angel Ramirez (VFW), Michael Roth (HACA), Ruby Roa (LOC), Kathy Stark (Austin Tenants’ Council), Kerry Overton (AE), J.J. Gutierrez (AE), Lisa Tamez (AE), Sandra Castillo (AE), Lori Kirchgatter (AE), Melissa Davis (AE), Jessica Twining (AE), Irene Nemitsas (AE) • Welcome o Ms. Jackson welcomed group and apologized for delayed start o Checked attendance and had new members/alternates introduce themselves  A group member asked if a representative would be present from Austin Water Utility – Mr. Overton stated AWU has discussed their concerns with AE and they still want to attend a meeting before the end. Several members stated the importance of AWU participation since many customers have high water bills as well. o Reviewed meeting topics to cover:  Payment Arrangement Worksheet – wrap up payment arrangement discussion/recommendation with completion of last column “PA Disqualification” and reach consensus on all components  “Alternative Payment Arrangement Recommendation” document – review and discuss recommendations provided by sub-group of committee members Bob Batlan, Carol Biedrzycki, Lanetta Cooper, Ruby Roa, Katherine Stark and Mark Widoff • PA Disqualification o Ms. Jackson re-iterated that if the resolution did not change a component of AE’s prior regular policy, on the worksheet it will state “not determined”  Ms. Biedrzycki remarked that under column “PA Disqualification” the reason “previous PA broken” was actually changed by resolution and that you are now eligible to receive another payment arrangement if you break a previous arrangement o Question posed: what does “disqualify” mean or refer to when discussing payment arrangements ?  Ms. Tamez answered that it referred to the reasons a customer is not eligible to enter into a payment arrangement o Ms. Cooper requested an updated worksheet so they can see the changes they’ve made/agreed upon  Ms. Jackson stated it will be made available at the next meeting once a general consensus has been reached on all components o Ms. Biedrzycki asked: how is “meter tampering” and “field activity scheduled for non-payment” defined?  Meter tampering • Ms. Tamez explained meter tampering is theft of service, including either a broken meter seal, …