LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2023) – As a result of a recent ruling by the Los Angeles Superior Court, effective July 20, 2023, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will no longer apply a water discount for customers enrolled in its EZ-SAVE (low-income) and Lifeline (senior citizen and disabled) programs. This change does not affect program enrollment status, and customers do not have to take any action to continue benefiting from the remaining EZ-Save or Lifeline programs. This change also does not affect discounts offered through LADWP’s electric rate ordinance or for sewer service.
“It is unfortunate that we are no longer able to offer the water low-income discounts, but we want every affected customer to know that LADWP is here to help them manage their water and electric bills, especially if they are elderly or on a limited income,” said Aram Benyamin, LADWP Chief Operating Officer. “We are committed to working with our EZ-Save- and Lifeline-enrolled customers to help them access financial assistance through state and local assistance programs and will not shut off their utilities if they are unable to pay their utility bill.”
In Case No. 19STCV07272, the Superior Court ruled that LADWP can no longer bill an approximate ten-cent-per-billing-unit water Low-Income Subsidy Adjustment (LISA) to its customers, which was used to fund water discounts applied to the bills of eligible EZ-SAVE and Lifeline customers. Currently, LADWP has more than 240,000 income-eligible customers enrolled in EZ-SAVE and Lifeline programs. LADWP notified all affected customers in a letter mailed this week, which included additional information on ways LADWP can help customers save and manage their utility bills.
It is important to note that LADWP customers enrolled in EZ-SAVE and Lifeline programs will still receive the electricity and sewer rate discounts on their bill, and LADWP customers enrolled in EZ-SAVE and Lifeline programs may be eligible for other income-qualified LADWP and State of CA programs and rebates, such as Cool LA, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. The letters also provided customers with how to access financial assistance programs to help mitigate the loss of the water discount, such as extended payment arrangements and Level Pay which helps “level out” a customer’s bill to a consistent bill amount over a 12-month period, to help make budgeting easier.
For more information on all available LADWP assistance programs, visit ladwp.com/cares.
# # #
