Deadline to apply for utility bill assistance fast approaching

RITZVILLE – There isn’t a lot more that can be said about the COVID-19 crisis which we have all been living under since March 2020. Federal, state and local governments have had their lives turned upside down, the same as yourselves, and we still struggle to cope with this issue.

The good news is the City of Ritzville has received a federal grant known as the CARES Act funds, whereby funds are made available to those affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, which was signed into law by the president on March 27, 2020. On November 3, the Ritzville City Council voted on Resolution No. 2020-11 that allows utility customers of Ritzville impacted by COVID-19 to apply for a portion of that money to help pay their past due accounts.

First, you must show COVID-19 related economic hardship such as lost wages, being laid off, family issues such as quarantine, or other factors that affected your income. Second, your application for those funds can only be used for the delinquent amount of your city utility bill after March 11, 2020.Third, since there is limited funding, applications must be returned to City Hall by Friday, November 20th. We’ll evaluate each application and disperse funds accordingly.

Please view the program policy guideline and application online at http://www.cityofritzville.com/payments, contact city hall at 509 659 1930 or email [email protected].

We at the City are very sensitive to your economic issues during this difficult time. We want to assist you in keeping your utilities current. This is a rare opportunity for you to get help and get caught up with your bill and we hope you will consider applying for these funds, which are intended to help you stay healthy and safe.