COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) management and staff would like to thank utility customers who donate to the Utility Assistance Program (UAP). Through the UAP, DPU provides financial support to customers in need. Currently, the UAP helps support 37 such customers, and historically, March has proven to bring a large increase in UAP requests beyond those customers already being assisted.
“With the winter moratorium coming to a close, we’re already seeing more customers whose finances are stretched thin,” said Karen Kendall, Deputy Utility Manager for DPU. “We expect to see about 20 more households put in applications for help with their utility balances.”
The UAP is funded by voluntary contributions from utility customers. By law, DPU cannot commit public funds to the program but it does manage the contributions received from its customers. Assistance recipients must be income qualified to receive assistance throughout the winter months, or for senior citizens, to receive assistance year-round.
“We appreciate all our customers who are looking out for neighbors and community members by contributing to the UAP,” said Utility Manager Philo Shelton. “Times have been difficult for many people and it’s incredible to see that those who have the means are willing to step up and help. Our customers who have signed up for regular contributions on their utility bills are really the driving factor in keeping the UAP afloat this year.”
In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the requests for assistance through UAP increased so much that in the fall of 2023, the contributions were no longer fully covering projected needs.
“At that point, we had to start declining requests for one-time assistance,” Kendall said. “However, last fall’s effort to increase contributions has allowed DPU to continue to provide winter and year-round assistance.”
So far this fiscal year, DPU’s customers have contributed $12,683 to the UAP, which is equivalent to 96% of what was donated in FY2023 with 33% of the year left. While these contributions are still less than the requests for assistance, the increased funding has helped provide continuing financial relief to those who qualify for UAP funds.
Shelton and Kendall encourage community members to consider contributing to the UAP fund.
“We have a few avenues for those who want to contribute to the fund and time is of the essence,” Kendall said. “In fiscal year 2023, the assistance provided in March was equivalent to more than a quarter of the assistance for the full year, and we expect to see at least as many assistance requests again this March.”
The contribution method with the most immediate and reliable impact is through DPU’s billing system. Customers who wish to contribute the same amount to the UAP each month can easily request that amount be included on their utility bills. Currently, 68 separate customers donate a combined total of $1,298 every month, which accounts for the majority of program funding. To set up regular monthly contributions, utility customers may visit ladpu.com/support.
Other ways to contribute to the fund include the traditional method of rounding up utility bill payments, dropping contributions off at the Customer Care Center, and purchasing items through DPU’s online shop that was set up in the fall as an additional means of supporting the fund.
For more information on all methods of supporting the UAP, as well as information on applying for assistance, please visit ladpu.com/assist. The DPU shop can be found at ladpu.com/shop.
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