The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities in cooperation with the United Way of Wyandotte County have made some changes in its utility assistance program that will help more area residents avoid potential disruption, or provide for the restoration of, utility services when they are experiencing financial hardship due to unforeseen events.
The goal of the program is to help Wyandotte County residents offset a portion of their utility expenses (up to $500 annually) for specific hardship causes, including a health emergency, a change in employment or income status, a change in family composition or marital status, or unforeseen documented expenses, according to a spokesman. To be eligible, an applicant must lack the funds to make their payment for BPU utility services due to one of these causes.
Applicants must have received six months of continuous BPU service. Allowable expenditures can only be applied toward BPU water and electric utility services – and do not cover deposits, connections or reconnection fees. BPU will refer customers to the United Way of Wyandotte County who will be serving as administrator of this program.
Applicants must also provide proof of eligibility, including proof of income or lack of income, a verification of expenses, as well as verification that the applicant is a resident of the address listed on the utility bill.
“As a not-for-profit community owned utility, we understand that unplanned events do occur and that at times our customers may have difficulty making ends meet,” stated Don Gray, general manager of BPU. “The BPU hardship payment service program will help those who have trouble meeting their utility expenses with a one-time hardship assistance payment to ensure continued utility service.”
The BPU Customer Hardship Payment Service Program is only available to Wyandotte County residents, but stands to help hundreds of customers that may find themselves in financial trouble due to unforeseen circumstances.
Interested applicants should contact BPU customer service at 913-573-9190 or the Hardship Hotline at 913-371-6772 for more information.