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Aqua proposes expanded assistance tiers in rate filing, earliest start 2028
Summary
Aqua described an existing Customer Assistance Program (70% usage discount for households at ≤150% of FPL) and proposed a multi‑tier assistance structure (80% ≤50% FPL; 65% ≤100% FPL; 40% ≤150% FPL; 10% ≤300% FPL) to be phased in after ICC approval, possibly starting 01/01/2028.
Aqua representatives told the committee the company offers a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) that currently provides a 70% discount on usage charges to households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; the presenters said about 1,400 connections currently participate out of roughly 94,000 connections.
As part of its rate filing, Aqua proposed a new multi‑tiered assistance program intended to deepen discounts for those most in need. The presenter described four tiers with discount levels tied to federal poverty thresholds and said the company would need time to contract with an outside eligibility administrator and to set up reporting before enrollment could begin. "We're thinking about a way to make it better, and a little deeper...we've suggested 01/01/2028," the representative said. The program would cover usage charges but not some flat fees such as customer charges or fire protection fees; the presenter noted those small charges would not be eligible for the discount.
