The program offers qualified low-income households a discount on the non-fuel portion of their monthly electric utility bill.
The commission ordered CUC to establish a lifeline rate on June 7, 2011.
The lifeline program is offered to anyone who currently receives federal housing assistance or is a beneficiary of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Supplementary Security Insurance, the National School Free Lunch Program or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The CUC program applies only to customers with 500 kWh usage of power per month.
“Usage above this amount will not reflect any lifeline discount. in addition, lifeline discounts cannot be applied to an outstanding balance owed to CUC,” they said.
Through the lifeline rate, qualified customers will save up to $2.52 on their basic monthly bill.
“This amount equals the increase you would have paid due to the base rate increase on June 7, 2011,” CUC said.
The lifeline rate can only be used for the primary account holder in a household.
A customer must establish electric utility service prior to applying for the lifeline discount, CUC said.
The name on the electric bill must match the name of the household member participating in the program.
To have the lifeline tariff apply to the bill going back to June 7, 2011, a customer must submit a completed application to CUC on or before Jan. 30, 2012.
If your application is submitted and fully completed after Jan. 30, 2012, the lifeline will apply to the first billing cycle after you submitted your application and proof of eligibility to CUC.
CUC said customers may apply for the lifeline program in person at the customer service center on the ground floor of Joeten Dandan.
Customers can also call the customer service center or the financial accounts management at 235-7025 to -7032.
Customers who have already provided valid documentation to CUC of eligibility will get approved immediately.
CUC said eligibility is reviewed periodically and benefits will be discontinued when the customer no longer meets the eligibility requirements or when proof of eligibility is not received by CUC.
Moreover, the lifeline rate will not apply to the levelized energy adjustment clause, or LEAC, charge. The lifeline rate only applies to the base rate.
“The LEAC charge is the cost for CUC to buy fuel and lube oil it uses to produce electricity. It is a charge passed on to each customer proportionately based on consumption. As a result, it is not reduced,” CUC said.
