South Bend is resuming water shutoffs and late fees. Here's how you can get help.

Jordan Smith, South Bend Tribune
·3 min read
The County-City Building in downtown South Bend.

SOUTH BEND — With the city poised to resume water shutoffs and late fees for delinquent accounts next month, local groups are hosting events to sign up low-income homeowners and renters who could save hundreds of dollars on utility bills.

By signing up for South Bend's Utility Assistance Program, residents who pay for city sewer service and are at or below 80% of the area median income can reduce their utility bill by up to $25.50 a month.

For one-person households, according to data provided by the city, the income threshold is $41,200. The threshold rises to $47,050 for a two-person household and to $58,800 for a four-person household.

Earlier this year, the city announced that renters are now eligible for the program along with homeowners. A tenant whose name isn't on the utility account needs the account holder's name, phone number and email address in order to sign up.

Shutoffs and late fees for water service were paused in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but will resume in December.

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If customers receive a disconnection notice but don't have the money to pay the fee by a specified shut-off date, they can avoid the shutoff by enrolling in a payment plan with South Bend municipal utilities. Payments and plans can be made online at utilities.southbendin.gov, by calling 311 or in person at 125 W. Colfax Ave, the city utilities office.

Residents with past-due water and sewer bills who need financial aid can apply for a one-time annual payment through the Indiana Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which began Nov. 1. The money also helps with electric and heating expenses. Income eligibility can be easily checked at benefits.gov. To apply, call REAL Services at (574) 232-6501 or apply online at realservices.org/energy-assistance.

How and when to sign up

The time and date of events to sign up for both the city's Utility Assistance Program and the statewide energy aid program are listed below. More events will be added in the coming days and can be found at southbendin.gov/support.

To sign up for either program, residents should bring the most recent copy of the relevant utility bills as well as several months' worth of income documents for everyone in the household. The statewide program also requires a photo ID and Social Security cards for each person.

Thursday, Nov. 3

  • 4–7 p.m. at Western Branch Library, 611 S. Lombardy Drive

Friday, Nov. 4

  • 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Western Branch Library, 611 S. Lombardy Drive

  • 1–2:30 p.m. at Tutt Branch Library, 2223 Miami St.

Saturday, Nov. 5

  • 5–7 p.m. at Near Northwest Neighborhood offices, 1013 Portage Ave.

Monday, Nov. 7

  • 4–7 p.m. at LaSalle Branch Library, 3232 Ardmore Trail

Wednesday, Nov. 9

  • 4–7 p.m. at Near Northwest Neighborhood Offices, 1013 Portage Ave.

Friday, Nov. 11

  • 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at LaSalle Branch Library, 3232 Ardmore Trail

Sunday, Nov. 13

  • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at St. Adalbert School Cafeteria, 519 S. Olive St.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

  • 1–6 p.m. at CUC Business Development Center, 809 Lincoln Way West

Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordantsmith09

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend water shutoffs resuming in December. How to get help