By Megan Wehring
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many individuals greatly, especially with financial hardships.
Residents may be eligible for emergency utility bill relief under the Kyle Cares Grant program.
The program focuses on utility billing services managed by the City of Kyle including water, wastewater, solid waste and storm drainage. It does not apply to utilities that are not billed through the City of Kyle including electricity, internet, phone bill or rent. Specific bills eligible for the grant are from the months of March, April and May.
Residents must meet all eligibility requirements to receive the grant. The requirements include being the primary individual on the active utility account in Kyle, experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and being at or below the federal income threshold for low income.
Outreach for the program can be found in both English and Spanish languages. Postcards will be sent out to every utility customer. City of Kyle staff will also use social media to spread the word.
Residents can find the application and other documents online. Paper applications are also available to be mailed or dropped off at City Hall.
Assistant city manager James Earp said staff will do their best to review applications in a timely fashion due to the unforeseen circumstances.
“The intent is to try to be as extremely timely in these responses because of the ongoing financial impacts that this grant would have on that household,” Earp said.
