WATER AND
POWER
Burbank Utility Service
Subsidy (BUSS) –
A Residential Assistance
Program for Utility Service
Customers
City Council
June 21, 2022
Background
• $2 million approved to assist Burbank community
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
• To date $3,265,700 has been provided
to customers, $0.9M from BWP, and
$2.4M from the State
• BWP has applied for an additional $2.4
million on behalf of customers
3 Current BWP
Assistance Programs
Benefit Benefit
Frequency
Income
Qualification
(family of 4)
Other
Requirements
Verification Funding Source
Federal
Low-Income
Home Energy
Assistance
Program
Utility assistance
+ weatherization
and energy
efficiency
One time $59,186 -
Tax return +
paystub
Annual
verification
Federal Health &
Human Services
Lifeline Rate
Assistance
40% off
electricity
No 7% UUTax
Monthly $59,100 62+ or disabled
household
member
BWP Public Benefits
Life Support
Rate No 7% UUTax
Monthly None In home use of
life-support
equipment
BWP Public Benefits
Project Share $100 bill credit One
time/year
$59,100 - Burbank resident
contributions
4 COVID-Related Assistance Programs
Benefit Benefit
Frequency
Income
Qualification
(family of 4)
Other
Requirements
Verification Funding Source Program
Timeframe
Covid-19
Job Loss
Program
$200 for multi
family
$300 for
single family
One
time
n/a Unemployment
between 11/1/20
-6/30/21
EDD
unemployment
letter
Public benefits Nov 1, 2020 –
Sep 30, 2021
Low Income
Rate
Assistance
Program
(LIRAP)
$50 basic
assistance
One
time
$92,610 None Self-attest Public benefits Oct 1, 2021 –
Jan 31, 22
$300
outstanding
balance
One
time
$92,610 91+ past due
balance of $500
Not participated
in Covid-19 Job
Loss program
Self-attest Public benefits Oct 1, 2021 –
Jan 31, 22
$1,000
outstanding
balance
One
time
$59,100 91+ past due
balance of $500
Not participated
in Covd-19 Job
Loss program
Lifeline program
enrollment -
Tax return +
paystub
Public benefits Oct 1, 2021 –
Jan 31, 22
• 12% discount on electric service
• Income qualified program set at
Burbank Parks & Rec PASS levels
• Verified by tax return and last paycheck
• On-going monthly discount
• Re-qualification required annually
5 New Low Income Residential Assistance Program
Burbank Utility Service Subsidy (BUSS)
6 Customer Program Income Eligibility
* Aligned with Burbank Parks & Rec PASS Program
Household
Size
LIFELINE BUSS Program*
1 $41,400 $69,580
2 $47,300 $76,538
3 $53,200 $84,191
4 $59,100 $92,610
5 $63,850 $101,871
6 $68,600 $112,059
7 $73,300 $123,265
8 $78,050 $135,591
7 Setting the BUSS Program
Discount to a Meaningful Amount
Electric
6% increase
Water
9% increase Total
Multi-family $4 $4* $8
Single-family $8 $6 $14
* Expected amount for each multi-family unit would be reflected in increase in rent
8 12% BUSS Program Discount
Provides Meaningful Impact
Average
Electric Bill
12%
Discount
Multi-family $65 $8
Single-family $120 $14
BUSS Program
Participation Estimate
Participation/year Cost/year Years of
Funding
High 5,000 585,747$ 1.9
Low 2,500 292,873$ 3.8
Illustrative Example of BUSS Program
with “low” Participation Levels
Average Increase In
BWP Utility Costs
Average
Electric Bill
12% discount Estimated
Participation
Annual Cost
of Subsidy
Multi Family 7.73$ 65.08$ 7.81$ 705 66,058$ Single Family 13.52$ 120.24$ 14.43$ 295 51,091$ 1,000 $ 117,149 Total
Illustrative Example of BUSS Program with
“high” Participation Levels
Average Increase In
BWP Utility Costs
Average
Electric Bill
12% discount Estimated
Participation
Annual Cost
of Subsidy
Multi Family 7.73$ 65.08$ 7.81$ 3,525 330,291$ Single Family 13.52$ 120.24$ 14.43$ 1,475 255,456$ 5,000 $ 585,747 Total
Target
Other
Community
Organizations
Community Outreach
• Customers may apply at BWP
• Households currently enrolled in PASS will be
cross-referenced and enrolled in BUSS
• BWP will continue to develop community
partnerships for expanded increased
outreach
WATER AND
POWER
Questions?
Jeannine Edwards
Assistant General Manager of
Sustainability, Marketing & Strategy
(818) 238-3706
[email protected]