One-time $500 Checks Help Angelenos Most in Need
(February 23, 2021) LOS ANGELES- More than 67,000 grant checks were mailed out to Angelenos in the amount of $500 as part of the federal CARES Act funding championed by L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez and approved by the City Council and Mayor. The grants were designed to assist struggling, low-income Angelenos financially affected by the pandemic with their utility costs including cellphone, gas and cable bills. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) administered the grant program on behalf of the City.
Out of 76,486 applicants, 67,315 were approved for the grant. A total of $33,657,500 were distributed to grant recipients.
“We saw hard working individuals and families who were hit hard financially by the pandemic and who needed some support. As part of the city family, we were eager to do our part,” said Martin Adams, LADWP General Manger and Chief Engineer. “Checks were sent before the new year to families all across the city who need it most. We are also here to help provide information on other discount programs and payment plans for families who need additional assistance.”
Checks were mailed in December to the approved applicant’s most recent address on file with LADWP. Grant applicants received email notification from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) informing them of their application status prior to checks being mailed out.
Check recipients are urged to deposit or cash the checks as soon as possible, once they have received them.
Applicants needed to be an LADWP residential customer with an online account, living within the City of Los Angeles at the time they applied. They were also required to complete an online application during the program enrollment period back in November demonstrating how they were adversely impacted by the pandemic, in order to be eligible for consideration.
Since the start of the pandemic, LADWP stopped all shutoffs for non-payment of water and power service so that no customer goes without vital services. LADWP also updated payment plans so that customers have longer to pay their account balance without penalties. For those who need additional financial assistance, visit www.ladwp.com/FinancialAssistance for information on low-income, senior or disability discounts and other assistance programs.
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