The Board of Trustees for the Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District (MSD), through the adoption of Ordinance No. 12686, offers a revised Low Income Assistance program effective August 1, 2008 for qualified low-income, elderly, and disabled customers who receive sewer and storm service from MSD. The assistance program is available to single family homeowners. Customers will receive a rate reduction equal to50% of the current charges for wastewater and/or storm water services on their monthly sewer bill.
Total annual income for the previous year is less than 150% of the most recent Health & Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines by size of household and less than 175% for disabled individuals and seniors at least age 62.
2008 Low Income Guidelines
Liquid assets and real estate are less than $3,000, excluding house of residence. Homeowners who are seniors (age requirement) or disabled individuals are not subject to the liquid asset guideline.
Own and reside in property full-time for which you are applying to receive rate reduction.
Property is a single family residence.
Service name on the account must be either the name of the applicant or that of his/her spouse.
Proof of all income sources for all persons living in your home a. If you are self-employed a copy of your most recent federal tax return form.
Proof of the amount(s) of any liquid assets or real estate, excluding house of residence b.
Medical Certification (if applying under Disabled) as completed by a Medical Physician. The certification must include name, address, telephone number and Physicians ID/Control number.
Proof of age by copy of valid government issued identification (Driver’s License, State or Military ID).
Customers who wish to apply for the rate assistant program must complete an application and return it to MSD's Accounts Receivable (A/R) Department.
Rate reductions for approved applicants shall begin on the first full month following approval of the application.
No rate reduction will be provided for partial months irrespective of eligibility.
All current low-income recipients (application prior to August 1, 2008) will be required to reapply and meet new qualifications. If found ineligible, rate reduction will stop with the next month following determination of ineligibility.
Falsifying information or failure to notify a change in eligibility status may lead to:
Eligibility must be established annually. A renewal application will automatically be sent 60 days prior to expiration date to all applicable customers.
New application must be postmarked no later than 30 days prior to the program expiration date indicated in the notification letter.
Should any renewal application found to be ineligible, reduction will be removed the month following the date of ineligibility.
Rate reduction is non-transferable to another person or place of residence.
Customer must remain current on all future reduced rate charges. Non payment may result collection efforts and/or removal from Program.
New applicants with a prior past due balance will need to establish payment arrangements with District's A/R Department to qualify for the Program.
a Most common income items include: Prior year's tax return or Social Security, Pensions, Interest, Wages, IRA withdrawals, Gambling winnings, Rents, Annuities, Insurance contracts, Unemployment compensation, Gain from sale of property.
Income not included: Social Security Disability until age 65, Medicare, Veterans disability benefits, Disability pensions paid by employee, Disability Pensions paid by employer as excluded by IRS regs., Workers compensation, Welfare, ADC, Life insurance due to death, Railroad Retirement benefits in Adjusted gross income.
b Types of liquid assets or real estate: Checking account, Saving/Credit Union, Certificates of deposits, Annuities, stocks/bonds/mutual funds, Money market funds, IRA/Keough/deferred compensation, all real estate other than your primary house of residence.
