LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is offering one-time $500 grants to low-income households that have lost work or had extra medical or child care expenses due to COVID-19.
The money can be used to pay utility bills or cover other expenses that threaten people’s ability to remain in their homes. Unemployment in Los Angeles remains high during the pandemic, above 15% as of September.
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved spending $50 million from its federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation to help up to 100,000 households.
If more than that apply for the grants, the DWP will select recipients in a random drawing. However, the utility will give priority to households that are already enrolled in LADWP programs offering subsidized rates to those who need financial assistance.
The grants are meant for low-income households, so not everybody will qualify. For example, to be eligible, a family of four needs to earn no more than $52,400. The money would be paid out in the form of checks mailed to each qualifying household that applies.
Los Angeles city residents can apply online via their own LADWP customer accounts starting Monday through Nov. 15. You can find details here.
READ MORE ABOUT UTILITY BILL RELIEF
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.