The  City  of  Kennewick  City  Council  authorized  the  use  of   Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding  award  to  assist  low‐income households in  the City,  those below 80% Area Median Income, with emergency utility assistance. The  funding follows the regulatory requirements of the CDBG program except for the provisions included in the Act. To ensure City of Kennewick CDBG‐CV subrecipients understand regulatory requirements, and to apply program consistency, these  policies  and  procedures  will  be  used  by  the  agencies  administering  the  COVID‐19  Emergency  Utility Assistance Program on behalf of the City of Kennewick. 

The program will provide past-due utility payments, per qualifying household.

Payment will be made directly to the household’s provider.

To be eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Provide short‐term utility assistance (water/sewer only), maximum of 6 months
• Serve households below 80% Area Median Income
• Assist households directly impacted by COVID‐19
• Serve households inside the Kennewick City Limits
• Assist households not currently receiving any federal, state or local subsidy for utilities

 Amount of Assistance: 

• Maximum utility assistance will not exceed six (6) months or $600, whichever comes first.   

All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will have the opportunity to be selected to receive assistance.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first eligible served basis until October 31, 2021 or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.  

For additional information contact Benton Franklin Community Action Committee at (509)545-4042 or email info@bfcac.org.